New Reference for Education in Emotional and Sexual Life: Practical Guide for Professionals in Education and Health Sectors

About ten institutional representatives gathered this Tuesday, April 23 in the Younoussa Bamana hemicycle of the provincial council to present the “new reference for education in emotional and sexual life”. Written especially for professionals in the education and health sectors, this true “practical guide” to emotional and sexual issues can be digitally downloaded by the general public by clicking HERE and available in paper form in schools, at the LPO Dembeni document center (CDP) or in health centers and associations. In general, it is aimed at “anyone who needs to support a young person in their emotional and sexual life”. Although primarily aimed at professionals dealing with young audiences, this guide aims to be inclusive; therefore it also deals with the issue of emotional and sexual life of people with disabilities, regardless of their age, and it can even be useful in supporting the elderly, according to Malika Bouty, PMI’s marriage and family counselor.

Taslima Soulaïmana (l), regional representative for women’s rights and Ms. Nassim Guy from the ARS were among those who presented this framework

A large number of actors were present this Tuesday afternoon at the regional council to present this framework, including health professionals who work at the legislature, representatives of PMIs, Dr. Abass, presidential doctor the Mayotte non-birth network, Ms. Nassim Guy from the ARS or even Taslima Soulaïmana, the regional representative for women’s rights. “This framework has two essential roles for us: to ensure that we respond to women’s issues such as early pregnancy or the question of abortion and to offer parents ways to address sexuality issues with their children, which are not simple residence”, citing the latter, while emphasizing that “the time for opinions is over, it was now time to propose solutions to these problems”. In addition, this framework also offers protocols to gently deal with very taboo issues such as the question of prostitution for example. So it is above all a training tool, which tries to find a balance between traditions and modernity in order to correspond as closely as possible to the realities of the Mahorese society. right now.

Support young people while respecting their personal and cultural values

Dr. Abass, pediatrician and president of the Répéma network

The framework is divided into three main parts: biological questions, psychological questions and socio-legal questions. “Because this guide must respond to all the problems encountered by the people we support,” said Malika Bouty. This also explains that even if “tool sheets” in the framework give examples of situations, it is important to start in the first place with the patient’s request so that the support is not too general and/or stereotypical. On the other hand, all professionals who use this framework must sign a charter in which they promise not to impose their personal views on the people receiving support. “It is very important to respect people’s values ​​and not impose our values ​​on them, especially on issues related to abortion for example. We can be against it on a personal level, but nevertheless support people who want to do so towards this path if that is what they want. Professionals should not impose their personal opinions on patients. We must respect their integrity and values,” explained Malika Bouty, along with many other professionals. “The framework contains examples of possible situations, but patients bring their own experiences and that’s what we have to work from,” she said.

Malika Bouty, marriage and family counselor within the island’s PMI network

This new inclusive tool will undoubtedly become an essential friend over time in supporting young people in developing their emotional and sexual lives and can also help people at other stages in their lives. since the approach of this directive aims above all to be inclusive. .

NG