Comprehensive sex ed 'age-appropriate' — advocates

Child rights advocates on Friday reiterated anew that the comprehensive sex education (CSE) in Senate Bill No. 1979 or the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill is "age-appropriate and "culturally-sensitive."

In a statement acquired by the DAILY TRIBUNE, the Child Rights Network (CRN) hit misrepresentations, fake news, and fearmongering surrounding the bill and CSE.

The CRN also hit former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, one of the staunch critics of the bill and Project Dalisay representative.

"Her group knew what it was doing by placing 'childhood masturbation' and other clickbaits front and center in their explainers to ignite opposition against comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and the bill," the group said.

Sereno's group, Project Dalisay, recently posted a video on social media, expressing dismay over the legislative push for the CSE program. saying it is not "compatible" with the Philippines.

"If the group behind Project Dalisay truly wanted to help, they would have easily reached out to us or the good sponsor of this bill instead of waging a clear smear campaign against an important and urgent piece of legislation," the CRN said.

"Project Dalisay unfortunately cherry-picks and misrepresents parts of the bill to ignite populist fears of hypersexualization and infiltration of international entities," the group added.

It further assured that it has done rigorous research and consultations with various stakeholders, including faith-based organizations.

"That is why the comprehensive sexuality education component was carefully worded to ensure that it is age- and development-appropriate, medically-accurate, and culturally sensitive," the group also assured.

The CRN also added that "no one was excluded from the legislative process for this bill."

It maintained that CSE involves parents and educators and "not teach inappropriate lessons to children."

Lastly, the CRN reiterated that the CSE will be guided by the Department of Education and international standards.