The people of Kabala in the Koinadugu District have raised concerns over a radio soap opera ‘Sisy Aminata’ which they say is a factor which makes their children fully aware of how to use condoms and thereby exposes them to sex.
During an interactive forum on the “girls tell us” forum organized by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on the reason why the girls lack interest in school, the people alleged that before this time, the children in Kabala had no knowledge about sex and condom use but with the commencement of this particular program the children are now very much aware of sex and condom use.
The mothers in the village during the workshop complained that though the programme is a sensitization programme about HIV/AIDS and how the girl child should prevent themselves against this disease but what they are against is that they should not talk anything concerning the use of condom.
Explaining further, Mohamed Tarawallie said that what is helping their children is the fact that when they go to school the teachers during their Religious and Moral Education class, stress on the A which is abstinence and the B, which is to be faithful and the C- condom use is not talked about.
He went on “but with the Sisy Aminata programme they talk about everything and when the time comes for that programme you will see these children listening to this programme and after the programme we also observe their reactions which is not good for us the parents,” he complained.
Mr Tarawallie stated that with the inception of this programme the children are now aware of the use of condom.
A pupil in Kabala who prefers anonymity, said that they see no reason why the program should be banned as it is helping them to prevent themselves against STI’s and teenage pregnancy.