Daniela

She, like many girls, feels the distress of looking around and realizing that every hour, three teenagers give birth in our country and that half of the births to women under 20 were not planned. They knew that something had to change. Sexual education is the key to preventing these very difficult situations.

These are situations in the lives of girls in our country, who, like Daniela, have experienced scenarios where their teachers locked the girls in a room, leaving the boys outside, to talk to them about how to use a sanitary pad. For her and many others, that was it! An uncomfortable moment that the girls experienced, and continue to experience today, but more than anything, it was inadequate. They didn't receive a single word about pregnancy prevention, contraceptive methods, or healthy relationships.

Many mothers, like Daniela's mother, cannot discuss these topics in depth with their daughters because they also did not have access to the necessary information to guide them properly. For Daniela, in sign language, she only knew the sign for sex, and her parents taught her that it was a bad sign. So, imagine, Daniela, like many others, never talked about important topics that they needed to know to take care of themselves and make informed decisions in their lives.

The topic of sexual education generally seems uncomfortable, both for parents and their daughters. Parents assume that after a certain age, their daughters already know what they need, and that's not true. Although Daniela had her first sexual relationship at the age of 20 and grew up using the internet, like most girls, she was not prepared for what was coming. They were not educated about prevention methods or how to stay free from diseases.

Girls who live in uncertainty about how to use contraceptive pills and lack confidence in asking someone about these topics, end up seeking solutions on their own. It is known that not all young people have access to resources or the confidence to do so.
When Daniela shares her story with her friends, she realizes that it is very similar to that of other teenagers in Honduras. Sexual education should not be a taboo or an uncomfortable topic. It should be a right for all young people. Young people need comprehensive education in their schools, which serves as support for their parents, who may not have the tools or feel embarrassed to have that conversation with them.
Honduras needs a change. Every year, 66,000 teenagers give birth, and many girls and teenagers drop out of school due to early or adolescent pregnancies. This cannot continue like this. We need to talk openly and honestly about sexual education in schools, to complement the education that parents provide at home.

Daniela is a living testimony of the challenges girls face today; inviting mothers, fathers, and the education system for comprehensive sexual education in the schools of our country. It's not just about learning about anatomy and biology, but about making them understand how to take care of themselves and respect themselves and their peers. Every young person deserves this information, regardless of their family situation, religion, or abilities. Honduras faces a crisis in teenage pregnancies, but together we can change this situation. Together we can make a difference and ensure that no teenager has to go through what Daniela and many other girls have already experienced.