Forty African countries have reportedly endorsed a proposed charter on family, sovereignty and values aimed at strengthening families and protecting children, according to organisers of a recent global town hall meeting in Lagos.
The development was disclosed by the Executive Director of the Center for African Policy Research and Advisory, Segun Adebayo, during the event organised by LoveWorld Ministry.
Adebayo said discussions were ongoing to finalise the proposed document before presenting it to the African Union. He said February next year was being targeted for its submission.
According to him, the proposed charter is intended to give African countries greater control over policies relating to family life, children and education, while taking into account the continent’s cultural and religious values.
Adebayo also criticised aspects of the sexual and reproductive health and rights framework, arguing that some of the policies associated with it could conflict with values held by African families and communities.
He also raised concerns about comprehensive sexuality education, saying parents should have a stronger say in determining what children are taught about sexuality, relationships and reproductive health.
The issue of sexuality education was also addressed by Family Watch President Sharon Slater, who called on African countries and parents to pay closer attention to educational programmes and their sources of funding.
Slater questioned the growing presence of comprehensive sexuality education and LGBT related topics in some educational programmes across Africa, and urged parents to take a more active role in understanding the content taught in schools.
She stressed that parents should not leave decisions about their children’s education entirely to schools and other institutions.
Parents Seek Greater Role in School Curriculum
The Legal Adviser to the Christian Association of Professionals for Africa and International Relations, Sonnie Ekwowusi, similarly called for greater parental involvement in curriculum development.
Ekwowusi argued that parents have a right to know what their children are being taught, particularly when educational materials deal with sexuality, relationships and reproductive health.
He alleged that some school textbooks in Nigeria contain references to topics including masturbation, sterilisation, breast enlargement, homosexuality, lesbianism, sexual orientation and contraception.
He also raised concerns about examples involving condoms in some educational materials and called for greater scrutiny of textbooks and other resources used in schools.
Ekwowusi identified the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council as an important institution in the development of school curricula and urged parents to participate more actively in discussions surrounding educational content.
He maintained that parental involvement should extend beyond paying school fees and sending children to school to include a clear understanding of the materials and values being presented to them.
Debate Extends Beyond Classroom Lessons
The Executive Minister of the Ministry of Information, LoveWorld, Pastor T. T. Temisan, said the debate over comprehensive sexuality education was broader than the individual topics contained in school lessons.
According to him, the central issue also concerns the values and worldview presented to children and families through educational programmes.
The discussion comes as proponents of the proposed charter seek wider support for a framework they say would strengthen African control over policies affecting families, children and education.
The proposed document has yet to become an African Union instrument, and its planned submission to the continental body remains part of the ongoing process described by its proponents.
The debate is expected to continue as African countries consider how to balance parental involvement, cultural and religious values, educational policy, children’s rights and existing international commitments.
