Reproductive health programme for schools

REPRODUCTIVE health knowledge will now be made available to over 250 secondary school students, thanks to Chevron Malaysia's Caltex Body Works programme.
Eight schools in the peninsula will be identified in this pioneer community engagement programme which is part of Chevron Malaysia's Energy for Learning global initiative.
Workshops will be conducted by the Federation of Reproductive Health Associations Malaysia (FRHAM) to empower youths aged between 15 and 18 years to make responsible decisions when it comes to sexual health.
"The Caltex Body Works programme represents our belief that fuelling young minds with knowledge on reproductive health and diseases such as HIV/AIDS will shape them into healthy and responsible adults  who can contribute positively to the communities and the nation," said Chevron Malaysia Ltd country chairman Jeremy Oh.
The programme will also include sessions for school headmasters, principals and counsellors to understand and experience the workshops for themselves.
To kick-start the programme, a cheque for RM151,000 was presented by Oh to Dr Kamaruzaman Ali, chairman of FRHAM, at the launch of the programme in Bukit Kiara last week.
"According to a National Population and Family survey, sexual activity among those between 13 and 24 years old has risen from 0.9 per cent in 1994 to 2.2 per cent in 2004," said Dr Kamaruzaman.
Youth volunteers mobilised from public universities in the Klang Valley who have undergone training on the workshop module will help FRHAM in the peer-to-peer sessions.
The activity filled interactive workshop module topics include Understanding My Body, Taking Care of My Health, We are Equal, Reproductive Rights and Responsibilities, Me and My Values and My Friends and I.