Religious leaders urged to break silence on adolescent sexual health

Human rights defenders across East Africa are calling on religious leaders to openly address adolescent sexual health and rights, arguing that silence within faith institutions is placing young people at risk.

Advocates say many religious leaders avoid discussions on sexual health due to fear of appearing unspiritual or encouraging immorality.

However, experts warn that this hesitation has contributed to misinformation, risky behavior, and the continued spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among young people.

Speaking during a regional training for journalist champions under the Solutions for Supporting Healthy Adolescents and Rights Protection (SHARP) programme hosted by the Eastern Africa National Networks of AIDS and Health Service Organizations (EANNASO) in Zanzibar, the experts emphasized that sexual health education should no longer be treated as a taboo within churches and other faith spaces.

“The church should start holding regular teachings with adolescents on matters of sexual health and rights without fear,” noted Dennis Bwana, a health rights advocate.

Human rights organizations argue that faith leaders are uniquely positioned to influence young people’s decisions and values.

By remaining silent on issues such as puberty, consent, HIV prevention, and safe sex, churches risk leaving adolescents to seek information from unreliable or harmful sources. “Sexual health education does not erode faith — it protects lives,” said Lizzis Otaye of EANNASO.

Evidence from Kenya and Tanzania shows that open government-led conversations on condom access and sexual health have improved awareness and encouraged safer sexual practices among youth.

Advocates say this progress demonstrates that honest dialogue works — and that faith institutions should be part of that conversation.

“Our young people are not waiting for lessons on radio or television,” noted Ronald Malaba during the training.

“They are on digital platforms, where information is fast and unfiltered. If churches are absent from these spaces, young people will learn elsewhere — sometimes at great cost.”

Stakeholders and policymakers are now being challenged to collaborate with religious institutions to develop culturally sensitive, faith-informed approaches to adolescent sexual health education. Such partnerships, advocates argue, could help curb new HIV infections while respecting moral and spiritual values.

Human rights defenders insist that embracing diversity, science, and compassion is not a betrayal of faith but an expression of it.

“As leaders entrusted with guiding society, religious institutions must choose whether silence or knowledge will define the future of our youth,” Bwana added.