ROOTS of Health (Ugat ng Kalusugan), a Palawan-based organization dedicated to empowering women and young people through sexual and reproductive health education, has called for the full implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) nationwide.

This appeal comes in response to campaigns by groups like Project Dalisay, which, according to Roots of Health, misrepresent the content and goals of CSE.

“Without accurate, age-appropriate, and evidence-based information, young people are vulnerable to early parenthood, unsafe sexual practices, abuse, and lifelong socio-economic consequences,” said Amina Evangelista-Swanepoel, Executive Director of Roots of Health.

Teenage pregnancy remains a critical public health issue in the Philippines, with over 450 girls aged 19 and under giving birth every day. Alarmingly, pregnancies among girls aged 10-14 have risen from 2,319 in 2020 to 3,135 in 2022, indicating cases of statutory rape, according to data from the Commission on Population and Development.

Roots of Health emphasized that CSE equips young people with reliable, science-backed, and age-appropriate information to help them navigate adolescence safely and responsibly.

For parents, CSE can be a valuable tool for guiding their children to make decisions aligned with family values. The goal is to foster open, honest conversations between parents and children, empowering families to support young people during a crucial stage of their development.

“The misconceptions about CSE reflect a broader societal discomfort with adolescent sexuality. Denying young people access to critical information only worsens the problem,” Evangelista-Swanepoel said.

She explained that contrary to claims by Project Dalisay, CSE does not “sexualize children” or “promote early sexual independence.” Instead, it teaches essential life skills such as decision-making, body autonomy, consent, and respect for diversity—skills crucial for preventing sexual violence, reducing gender-based violence, and promoting healthy relationships.

“Many parents fear that sex education will encourage early sexual activity, but studies show that young people who receive CSE are more likely to delay sexual activity and practice safer behaviors,” Evangelista-Swanepoel explained. “When young people understand their bodies, learn about consent, and develop healthy relationship skills, they are better prepared to navigate the pressures of adolescence and to speak out against abuse.”

Since 2017, Roots of Health has helped reduce the teen pregnancy rate in Puerto Princesa by 60%, attributing this success to education efforts and partnerships with local schools and communities.

Many teachers and healthcare providers lack the necessary training to deliver non-judgmental, accurate, and age-appropriate information on sexual and reproductive health. Capacity-building programs must be prioritized and funded.

The Department of Education should collaborate with the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) and the Department of Health to utilize resources like the I CHOOSE #MalayaAkongMaging online campaign, which offers accessible, credible information in “Taglish” for young Filipino audiences.

Roots of Health also highlighted the vital role of youth advocates, including the Sangguniang Kabataan, in peer education. The organization has trained over 1,500 young people in Palawan to organize CSE sessions, demonstrating the impact of youth-led initiatives in promoting healthy behaviors. Expanding such efforts can enhance CSE’s impact nationwide.

“We appeal to DepEd to strengthen the full implementation of CSE and encourage parents and guardians to support and share accurate information about it. Protecting our youth means giving them the tools to make informed decisions, rooted in family values,” said Evangelista-Swanepoel.

“We cannot shield young people from life’s realities, but we can prepare them to face these challenges with confidence and clarity,” she added.