"It is important to understand that sex education is not about how to have sex, but in a more positive sense, namely providing knowledge about reproductive health to prevent sexual health problems from occurring,"
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN), Hasto Wardoyo, said that sex education at an early age can help prevent cervical and breast cancer.

"Sex education for children at an early age can prevent cervical cancer, breast cancer, and so on; this is because it can be prevented at the earliest when they know how to maintain reproductive health," he added, according to a statement released here on Saturday.

He delivered the remarks at the "National Meeting of the Working Team in the Family Planning and Reproductive Health Field" in Denpasar, Bali. The meeting was held from February 20 to 23, 2024.

The meeting was held to discuss family planning and reproductive health promotion programs and activities in 2024.

He said that discussion about sexual reproduction with their adolescent children is often considered taboo, that many parents don't do it even though it's important.

He added that the introduction of sexual health among children can be started with acquainting them with the reproductive organs, not just male-female relationships.

"It is important to understand that sex education is not about how to have sex, but in a more positive sense, namely providing knowledge about reproductive health to prevent sexual health problems from occurring," he said.

Wardoyo highlighted the importance of continuing to educate the public about contraception, especially long-term birth control, for regulating pregnancy intervals.

Contraceptive service activities with the right momentum can increase participation in the long-term contraceptive method (MKJP) by around 10.05 percent, he added.

The MKJP method has a lower error rate compared to natural and short-term contraceptive methods.

"For instance, easily damaged condoms and birth control pills that fail due to forgetting to consume," he said.

He added that the family planning program covers preparedness for marriage, pregnancy, pregnancy intervals, family-building, and stunting prevention.

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Translator: Lintang P, Kenzu
Editor: Arie Novarina
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