Sex education

She authoritatively informed her class that they could not contract HIV Aids if they took a bath after sexual intercourse, implying that the virus would be 'washed away'. She went on to further support her statement by explaining that HIV is more prevalent in poor African countries than in Bangladesh, precisely because tribal communities have improper sanitation and bathing facilities, whereas in Islam (Muslim communities) it is required that you take a bath after intercourse.

This incident profoundly shocked me; not only is the argument and evidence completely incorrect and misleading, but it made me realise that schools need to implement safe sex education programmes for students in English and Bengali mediums, who are sexually active as early as class 7. Instructors should be experts in the field of medicine or public health, who will deliver correct and up-to-date information. They must conduct frequent workshops elaborating on contraceptive use, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the legal implications of underage sexual activity. Teachers and parents must increase their own awareness and co-operate with authorities to establish these programmes in a society where all sexual issues are taboo.

Preaching abstinence and not acknowledging the existence of adolescent physical relationships risks the well being of today's youth. It will also pave the way for the HIV pandemic to cripple Bangladesh.