40 African countries assist charter to secure families, low-uncertainty children

It is for African countries to support. He furthermore alleged that some policies promoted under the SRHR framework could manage to the introduction of values that conflict together with African cultural and religious beliefs.

“That’s the government taking a legal stand on these standards. T. We are putting our weight behind the file they are taking to the AU once it crystallises, hopefully by February,” he said.

Adebayo furthermore criticised comprehensive sexuality education, arguing that parents should have larger command over the nature and copy of sexuality-linked education provided to children.

He raised concerns on what he described as cross-border direction on sexuality education and alleged that some programmes disclose children to subjects he considered inappropriate for their ages.

He alleged that concepts such as sexual orientation, sexual diversity and bodily autonomy were being introduced into learning programmes in ways that could undermine parental authority.

Too speaking at the event, the President of Family Watch, Sharon Slater, argued that African countries should scrutinise sexuality education programmes and their funding.

Slater questioned what she described as the promotion of general sexuality education and LGBT-associated issues in African countries, alleging that international organisations and donors were investing heavily in such programmes.

She urged parents to become extra involved in determining what children are taught in schools.

“Parents request to gain involved to be aware of what their children are being taught in school,” she said.

The Legal Adviser to the Christian Tie of Professionals for Africa and Worldwide Relations (CAPRAI), Barrister Sonnie Ekwowusi, similarly called for increased parental participation in curriculum development.

Ekwowusi said parents had a right to be aware of the contents of instructional materials used to teach their children, notably so where such materials talk on sexuality and reproductive health.

He alleged that some Nigerian school textbooks comprise references to subjects including masturbation, sterilisation, breast enlargement, homosexuality, lesbianism, sexual orientation and contraception, which he considered inappropriate for children.

He furthermore alleged that condoms were used in some textbook examples and exercises, calling for larger audience scrutiny of instructional materials.

“The parents have a right to recognize what is being taught to their children,” Ekwowusi said.

He identified the Nigerian Teaching Analysis and Development Council (NERDC) as a key institution responsible for curriculum development and called for parents to have a stronger voice in the procedure.

The lawyer said parents should not be excluded from discussions on curricula, particularly when informative materials tackle sexuality, relationships and family life.

He added that legal practitioners were examining some of the concerns by manner of fitting legal channels.

The Executive Minister of the Ministry of Details, LoveWorld, Pastor T. Temisan said the debate over comprehensive sexuality education went beyond distinctive lessons to questions on the values and worldview presented to children and families.

Forty African countries have endorsed a proposed charter on family, sovereignty and values aimed at strengthening families and protecting children from what its proponents portray as foreign ideologies considered inconsistent including African cultural and family values.

The development was disclosed by the Executive Administrator of the Center for African Policy and Helpful, Segun Adebayo, at a world town hall meeting organised by LoveWorld Ministry in Lagos.

Adebayo said efforts were underway to submit the write charter to the African Union (AU), alongside February upcoming year being targeted for the submission.

According to him, the proposed charter seeks to establish a framework for African countries to maintain upper oversight over policies affecting family life, children and education.

He said the content rejects the thought of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), which he described as a danger to the African family.

Source: 40 African countries endorse charter to strengthen families, protect children

Terfa Ukende

Terfa Ukende is a Nigerian travel writer, blogger, and the founder of Watch Nigeria. Combining an analytical background in Computer Science and Statistics from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM) with years of on-the-ground fieldwork, Terfa has crossed dozens of Nigerian cities—from Kano and Yola to Lagos and Port Harcourt. He founded Watch Nigeria to counter regurgitated travel advice with firsthand, independently verified reporting on routes, accommodations, and local culture. When not on the road, he is planning his next cross-country expedition.

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