Kinshasa: raising awareness among young people about sex education for their physical wellbeing

Kinshasa, September 8^th, 2026 (CPA).- The sex education for the physical wellbeing of young people and a structured, active and disciplined sex life was the focus of an awareness-raising session on Tuesday in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), led by a clinical psychologist, it is learned from a health source. “I am raising awareness among young people about sex education to prevent abuse and risks, as human beings are meant to lead an organised, active and disciplined sex life,” has declared Mr Derrick Wetshosongo Lushima, a clinical psychologist at the Neuro-Psychopathological Centre (CNPP). “The young people must get into the habit of voluntarily getting tested, both before and after any sexual encounter, to prevent numerous life-threatening diseases,” he has added. According to Mr Wetshosongo, sexual health is defined as a state of physical, psychological and social well-being related to sexuality and bodily functions. The clinical psychologist has explained that, among young girls and boys, poor sex education increases the risk of venereal diseases and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, and can also lead to sterility or infertility. He has recommended that couples enrol in a family planning programme, in order to space out births appropriately and promote healthy child development. For Mr Wetshosongo, young girls and boys must enrol in sex education programmes run by clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, neuropsychiatrists and specialist educators, in order to adopt appropriate behaviour for a responsible and disciplined approach to sexuality. In his view, it is necessary, in collaboration with the Ministry in charge of Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare, to organise sex education clubs or groups in schools and other social settings, whilst ensuring that service providers are remunerated and guaranteeing safety and the enforcement of the law to prevent sexual abuse such as rape, sexual harassment and the use of psychoactive substances that encourage risky sexual behaviour.