Claris Oyunga Nguvu Change Leader: PHOTO[COURTESY]
In a society where discussing sexual health is often met with uncomfortable silence, one woman is determined to change the narrative. Claris Oyunga, a Nguvu Change Leader, isn’t just advocating for change; she’s leading a revolution in how Kenya approaches Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) education.
“As a country, we have to destroy the trauma and shame surrounding discussing Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights,” Claris states. She’s spearheading a petition to include SRHR education in Kenya’s junior high school curriculum, and her reasons are compelling.
Breaking the Taboo, One Signature at a Time
According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), one in nine girls and one in twenty minors experience sexual abuse or assault. Even more disturbing? Ninety-three percent of reported child rape victims knew their perpetrators.
“A familiar face sexually abusing a child will make it hard for the child to realize it is abuse and report it to relevant authorities,” Claris explains.
The Right Time, The Right Place
But why junior high school? “It’s around the same time that students learn about reproductive organs in Science,” she points out. “SRHR can go hand in hand with what is taught in Science and help students understand their own Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights.”
Her vision for the curriculum is comprehensive from human sexuality and personal skills to addressing forms of sexual abuse and avenues for seeking justice. She emphasizes the need for age-appropriate content and teacher training to ensure cultural sensitivity.
Facing the Pushback
In a conservative culture, not everyone shares Claris’s vision. Yet she sees opposition not as a roadblock, but as an opportunity for dialogue. “I don’t see it as a challenge,” she says. “I view it as an opportunity to have heart-to-heart conversations with the persons in question.”
Claris has a message for parents and educators who might be uncomfortable with the conversation: “Information is power. Allowing comprehensive SRHR education allows our children to equally play a role in protecting themselves.”
A Movement Gaining Momentum
Currently backed by the Nguvu Collective initiative, Claris aims to gather 10,000 signatures for her petition. Her ultimate goal is to see SRHR education as an independent compulsory subject in all Kenyan junior high schools, both private and government-owned.
“This is not a journey of a few but a journey of many,” Claris emphasizes. “The future protection of our children depends on you and me.”
How You Can Help
Want to support the movement? Sign Claris’s petition and share it within your network. As she puts it, “Children have the right to enjoy their childhood without the burden of internal struggles and battles fought alone that can be prevented.”
In a world where silence often perpetuates harm, Claris Oyunga’s voice rings clear and true. Through education, she’s not just fighting abuse; she’s empowering a generation to speak up, stand tall, and know their rights.
