Family Life Education in Kiribati

Adolescent pregnancy in the Pacific region is one of the challenges that threatens the socio-economic fibre of most countries. The adolescent birth rate for 6 of the 14 UNFPA’s supported countries and territories sits above the global average of 44 per 1000 girls – varying between 51 per 1000 girls in Kiribati, to 85 per 1000 girls in the Marshall Islands . Many of these pregnancies are unintended. Comprehensive Sexuality Education also referred to as Family Life Education (FLE) in the Pacific is a curriculum- based process of teaching and learning about the cognitive, emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality. It aims to equip children and young people with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that will empower them to realize their health, well-being and dignity; develop respectful social and sexual relationships; consider the well-being of others that are affected by their choices; and understand and ensure the protection of their rights throughout their lives.” The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the Pacific recognizes the importance of equipping adolescents and youth with tools to navigate life-changing decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and the related need to pursue healthy lives and relationships. Through the Transformative Agenda programme, funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and in collaboration with the Governments and Civil Society organisations from the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu and recently Nauru; Comprehensive Sexuality Education also referred to as Family Life Education in the Pacific is being implemented in school and out of school community settings to reach adolescents and young people with lifesaving knowledge and skills required to prevent unintended pregnancies and build respectful relationships to ultimately reduce intimate partner violence. This video captures voices of young people, teachers, parents and key decision makers in Kiribati on the effect the programme has had on their lives and communities following a program review exercise after two years of implementing internationally aligned Family Life Education under the Transformative Agenda programme.