Shazia Mohamed, Pakistan

"It's been really easy to talk with adolescents and even to get their parents to agree that life skills sexuality education is an important need. Parents are concerned with adolescents' health and well-being, but often they're too shy or they've got too many barriers and inhibitions to actually give their children information. They don't mind if we do, as long as it is done appropriately. They are hesitant because they fear that information will lead adolescents to become sexually active. It takes a little bit of talking for them to trust us. It's not as difficult as you would think in a country such as Pakistan, except when it comes to working with boards of education, the educational system, ministry personnel. They think we're promoting sex. But sexual health is not just about sex. It's about the physiological, the psychological, the emotional, and the social aspects of human beings."

About Shazia

After attending college in Canada, Shazia Mohamed returned to Pakistan and joined the staff of Aahung, a small nongovernmental organization based in Karachi. Aahung is committed to improving the sexual health of both adolescents and adults. Shazia and her colleagues face the challenge of educating teens about their sexual health and rights in a culture where open discussion of sex and sexuality is uncommon and there is limited access to information and services. Aahung staff created Aware for Life (Adolescents), a training package for teachers in the use of a life-skills curriculum. It not only raises awareness about health-seeking behaviors but also builds adolescents' confidence and self-esteem through, for example, challenging entrenched gender roles. The organization's training for community workers helps them raise sexual health awareness among women and men who have little or no literacy skills. Aahung also trains health practitioners and provides clinical services, information, and technical assistance.

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