Prof. Walter Jaoko attends UNESCO O3 Plus Project For Academic Institutions

Member of the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology and Director of KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research, Prof. Walter Jaoko recently attended the launch of UNESCO (03) Plus Project for Academic Institutions which aims to support countries to deliver comprehensive sexuality education for adolescents and young people in Sub-Saharan Africa.

With a growing population of adolescents and youth in sub-Saharan Africa, UNESCO believes there is an opportunity to reap an unprecedented demographic dividend if they are educated, healthy and employed. The organisation states that to achieve this, major obstacles such as such as early marriage, early and unintended pregnancies, HIV infections and gender-based violence need to be overcome.

Through their flagship programme, Our rights, Our lives, Our future (O3), UNESCO will support countries to provide good quality comprehensive sexuality education that empowers adolescents and young people while developing the skills, knowledge and attitudes they need to prevent HIV infections, reduce early and unintended pregnancies, and eliminate gender-based violence. It also focuses on building safe learning environments for learners by preventing all forms of violence including bullying in and around schools.

During the launch Prof. Jaoko highlighted the importance of positive messages are best communicated through music and the arts and that educational institutes desire is to help our students reach their career goals. The mention of music was not lost on guests such as musician King Kaka who was in attendance for the project launch