Tears Foundation launches digital gender-based violence educational tool

 Tears Foundation has launched a safe, easily-accessible and informative tech-enabled application called Speak Up,to promote sex education, which remains an elusive and contentious subject in many schools.

There is a shocking lack of sex education available for young people, said Mara Glennie, chief executive of the non-profit organisation that specialises in helping survivors of rape and sexual abuse. Although the material is provided to teachers for the life orientation syllabus, it is among a variety of topics they can choose from. 

“With the many taboos still surrounding sex, most teachers shy away from the topic. It’s not addressed by the parents and guardians either, leaving youth without the critical knowledge they need on topics like consent and sexual health,” Glennie said.

To bridge this gap the foundation, in conjunction with the department of basic education, has teamed up with insurer 1st for Women and the Industrial Development Corporation. 

Tears believes that Speak Up will provide young people with sex education on their cell phones and assist users in making informed decisions about their sexual health.

Speak Up is a true breakthrough for sex education in South Africa,” head of 1st for Women Seugnette van Wyngaard said

“Through a series of short, interactive and animated videos, with subtitles, in case the user needs to watch the video in private, we hope to break the taboos with accurate and relevant information so that the youth are able to make conscious, healthy and responsible choices about relationships and sexuality.

By Mandisa Ndlovu

https://mg.co.za/education/2023-06-26-tears-foundation-launches-digital-gender-based-violence-educational-tool/