Jamaica Guidelines on Sexuality Education

- <strong>Jamaica</strong>n <strong>Guidelines</strong> For Comprehensive Sexuality Education -
Acknowledgements and
Overview of the <strong>Guidelines</strong>
The <strong>Jamaica</strong>n <strong>Guidelines</strong> resulted from the collective vision and commitment of
many individuals and organisations that worked together to improve comprehensive
sexuality education for young people in <strong>Jamaica</strong>. The <strong>Jamaica</strong>n <strong>Guidelines</strong> For
Comprehensive Sexuality Education were developed through a process of consensus by
a diverse National Task Force and Advisory Council of <strong>Jamaica</strong>n experts representing
the fields of sexuality education, youth development, sexual and reproductive health
and rights, family planning, HIV and AIDS, gender, media, healthcare, and education.
Mrs. Peggy Scott, CEO and Mrs. Pauline Pennant, Programmes Administrator, of
FAMPLAN <strong>Jamaica</strong> worked in close collaboration with Nanette Ecker, Director of
International Education and Training, of the Sexuality Information and Education
Council of the United States (SIECUS) to plan, develop, and execute the <strong>Guidelines</strong>
development project.
The <strong>Jamaica</strong>n edition of the <strong>Guidelines</strong> is based on both the <strong>Guidelines</strong>
For Comprehensive Sexuality Education, Third Edition, produced by the Sexuality
Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS 2004), and on the
<strong>Guidelines</strong> for Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Nigeria: School Age To Young Adult,
produced by Action Health, Inc. in collaboration with SIECUS in 1999. The basic
structure and content of the <strong>Jamaica</strong>n <strong>Guidelines</strong> remains similar to these publications;
however, specific topics, messages, and age-levels were adapted to reflect the nuances
of <strong>Jamaica</strong>n culture, incorporate new information, and address the emerging sexual
and reproductive health issues that young people face.
The <strong>Jamaica</strong>n <strong>Guidelines</strong> include new sections such as <strong>Jamaica</strong>n Sexual Slang and
Sexual and Reproductive Health Terms, Using the <strong>Guidelines</strong>, and Additional Resources, all
of which offer useful tools and additional information. We trust these <strong>Guidelines</strong> will
assist professionals by providing a broad range of sexuality education information for
them to share at educational facilities, and community-based, non-governmental, and
faith-based organisations that work with youth, in and out of schools, who are living in
rural and urban communities.
The messages within this publication emerged as a consensus of beliefs from
the National <strong>Guidelines</strong> Task Force, whose role was to develop this publication by
adapting the United States and Nigerian versions for the <strong>Jamaica</strong>n cultural context.
These messages were further modified, honed, and vetted with thoughtful feedback
provided by members of the Advisory Council Committee. Thus, the messages
accurately reflect sexuality and reproductive health issues many professionals may face
when working with young people. The Task Force and Advisory Council Committees
believe the messages within the <strong>Guidelines</strong> will help promote open, honest discussion
of sexuality, which will assist youth to make informed, responsible decisions. We also
believe these discussions will help young people to stay sexually healthy as they
navigate towards adulthood, and help them emerge as adults with a healthy sexuality.
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