The News

Mexican Health Secretary Defends Sexual Health Education

Health Secretary José Narro Robles objected to the elimination of the topic of sexual health from text books Thursday, arguing that sexual education is one of the best preventive measures against sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.

During a recognition of medical students in the Academic Excellence 2016 event, he said he did not agree with parents across the country who wanted to eliminate sexual education from public education. Narro Robles said that teenage pregnancy was a big problem in Mexico that required immediate attention.

“It is a huge problem for me that we are used to 11,000 females 10-14 years old giving birth — basically, kids having kids,” he said. “This is not right. We need to change something.”

He said that, when speaking about teenage pregnancy, we must remember that in some cases the teen in question knows what they want and the decision is made with their partner. However, he explained, usually this is not what happens.

Regarding same-sex marriage, Narro Robles said that the reform that was sent to the president guaranteed that all Mexicans would have their rights protected, regardless of sexual orientation.

PEDRO MONTES DE OCA