Tunisia Becomes First & Only Arab Country to Introduce Sex Education

Tunisia is the first and so far only Arab country to provide a sex-education program, from the age of five, for elementary and middle school students, the Washington Post reports.

Sexuality Education does not make it into the school subjects of national education in the Arab-Muslim countries where sexuality remains a taboo for all ages.

The sex-education is also absent from the family, and is left fallow in people’s minds. But Tunisia is now on the verge of tackling this major undertaking by integrating a school-based sex-education program.

Several sources confirmed that the actual sex-education program will be added into a variety of academic subjects. Young students will learn about their bodies in a “biological and religious-based way” to allow them to learn about themselves, arm them against sexual harassment, catcalling, rape and molestation, the Washington Post mentions. Older students will learn about pregnancy and abortion.

Tunisia’s program will be rolled out first in areas around the Greater Tunis, and then expanded to all schools after two years, if successful.

The country is known for being relatively progressive compared to its neighbors, and the program is tailored to Tunisian society.