Sexual exploitation, teenage pregnancy, and the heightened risk of HIV transmission remain significant concerns for adolescent girls and transgender individuals in urban poor communities, where adequate information on sexual and reproductive health is often absent.
Although in 2018, the Department of Education introduced comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in schools, with the aim of equipping learners with a necessary toolkit of knowledge, attitudes and skills to protect and advocate for their health, well-being and dignity.
However, for many out-of-school youth, this minimum and essential information about sexual and reproductive health are out of reach, frequently leading to poorer health outcomes.
In 2021, under the Unified Budget, Results and Accountability Framework (UBRAF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and its partner, Samahan ng Mamamayan - Zone One Tondo Organization (SM-ZOTO), piloted the BESHIE Learning Group Sessions—an out-of-school comprehensive sexuality education program tailor-fitted to the needs and realities of vulnerable young girls and transgender individuals in the cities of Navotas and Malabon.
Melissa Alvarez, a 23-year-old BESHIE facilitator, aspires to empower her community by helping young people make informed choices about their health and well-being through peer-to-peer comprehensive sexuality education.
At 16, Melissa participated in sessions on children's rights and protection, leading her to become a child rights advocate herself, collaborating with various civil society and community-based organizations. In 2022, Melissa formally joined the BESHIE program as a facilitator, expanding her advocacy from children's rights to out-of-school CSE.
“Rights and other social issues are familiar to me, but sexual and reproductive health was less so, as it's not often discussed openly,” Melissa reflects on her initial impression of the OOS-CSE learning modules, which cover sexual and reproductive health and rights topics, including SOGIE (sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression) sensitivity.
“The environment and approach are distinct. It's not traditional; we begin each session with interactive activities, then seamlessly integrate the topics we're discussing,” Melissa explains.
Butch Ablir, Executive Director of SM-ZOTO, said that the project helped provide a space for youth, particularly those who engage in risky sexual behaviors, to discuss comprehensive sexuality education.
"This project has been a huge help because it has provided a space to discuss (comprehensive) sexuality education, going beyond the general topic of reproductive health," he explained. Recognizing also the different learning capacities, he mentioned that SM-ZOTO has taken the initiative to make the learning modules easier to understand by translating them to Filipino.
“It's highly effective. Our participants are often young girls and transgender individuals who work nights. Despite having limited rest, they actively engage in the morning sessions,” Melissa noted. She added that the games and activities encourage participation, contrasting with the typical "pen and paper" workshops she previously attended.
When asked about her most memorable moment as a facilitator, Melissa becomes emotional, recalling the stories of her two transgender peers who had to leave school due to financial constraints, leaving them with no choice but to engage in transactional sex to get by.
Jowelyn Escora, one of the peer educators, shared how participating in the program as a facilitator has also made an impact on her life, especially as a teenage girl.
Jowelyn said SM-ZOTO has allowed her to become more open and aware. "Before joining, as a 17-year-old, I wasn't really open to discussing issues like STIs, HIV, child rights, and human rights,” she said. Recognizing the stigma surrounding sexual and reproductive health discussions, she noted that SM-ZOTO was able to create a safe space where she could learn about these topics without judgment.
Through the program, which was later supported by the government of Norway in 2023-2024, Melissa and Jowelyn, too, were able to return to school and pursue their dreams. They have now graduated college and are still leading the learning group sessions, alongside their own advocacy work.
“We're witnessing the results of our efforts firsthand. We helped them avoid transactional sex and empowered them. Now, they are trained facilitators empowering other youth to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health,” Melissa proudly shares.
By Mark Christian Sambajon/Aprille Maxine Villaceran
