Educating Empowered Girls: An Essential Conversation about Sexual Health

In the information age we live in, it is paradoxical how certain topics continue to be surrounded by taboos and stigma, especially when it comes to female sexual health. Sexual education is a fundamental pillar in raising girls who are empowered, well-informed, and capable of making healthy and safe decisions regarding their own bodies.

Although society has advanced in many aspects, there is still an air of mystery and shame around sexual education and many mothers and fathers refuse to assume that it is part of our job. Talk openly and healthily about sexual health with our daughters.

This article is intended to be a guide to break barriers, open dialogues and provide tools for comprehensive and positive sexual education.

Knowing their bodies

Teaching our daughters about sexual anatomy correctly, accurately and without shame is the first step towards empowerment. From an early age, it is crucial to use the correct anatomical terms, promoting an environment of normality and respect for your body.

Why should we teach them to use correct anatomical terms?

Education and Prevention of Abuse : According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, using accurate and anatomically correct terminology can empower girls, making them better able to clearly communicate any concerns about their body or if they have experienced discomfort or abuse.

Promoting Self-Esteem: A study published in the "Journal of Adolescent Health" suggests that young people who receive comprehensive sexuality education, which includes the correct use of anatomical terms, tend to feel more comfortable with their bodies and have a healthier attitude toward the sexuality.

Reducing Shame: By normalizing the scientific names of body parts, you help reduce the stigma and shame that is often associated with certain body parts and biological functions.

Communication with Health Professionals: When girls are accustomed to using the correct anatomical terms, they can communicate more effectively with health professionals about any problems or concerns. This facilitates more accurate diagnoses and more appropriate treatment, as indicated by studies in the field of pediatrics and gynecology.

Foundation for Future Sex Education: Establishing a knowledge base with correct terms from an early age prepares girls for more advanced sex education as they grow.

Helping girls develop a healthy and respectful understanding of their anatomy contributes to their self-esteem and overall well-being.

Open Conversations : Talk about body changes in a natural and positive way. Teach them about the different parts of their intimate anatomy and their functions.

Use of Mirrors: Encourage them to use a mirror to explore their anatomy and become familiar with their body, explaining that knowing their body is an important part of taking care of their health.

Books and Educational Resources: Use books and visual resources that show anatomy in a scientific and accessible way.

Promote Body Self-Acceptance

A positive body image is an essential component in a girl's development. Self-acceptance leads to greater confidence and self-assurance, vital elements for healthy development. It is essential to reinforce positive messages about your body, highlighting its functionality and inherent beauty.

How do we do it?

Limit exposure to harmful media: Many media promote unrealistic beauty standards. It is important to monitor and discuss the content girls consume, offering critical perspectives on the messages they receive about the body and beauty.

Activities that encourage body appreciation: Engage girls in physical activities that help them appreciate what their bodies can do. Sports, dance, yoga, and outdoor activities are great for this.

Open conversations about body changes: Talking openly about changes during puberty and other natural body processes can reduce anxiety and encourage positive acceptance of these natural changes.

Provide a safe environment where girls can ask questions and express their concerns without fear of judgment.

Adapted Education on Reproductive Health

It is our responsibility to inform our daughters about contraception, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and taking care of their reproductive health. This education must be adapted to their age and degree of maturity, ensuring that the information is understandable and relevant to them.

Respect for oneself and others, along with the understanding and importance of consent, should be priority topics in sexuality education.

Helping girls understand and express their own limits is essential. This includes respecting your own personal space and learning to say "no" firmly and respectfully. Likewise, they must learn to respect the boundaries of others.

Respect and consent should be discussed from a young age and continue to be part of conversations as girls get older and their relationships become more complex. This establishes a clear and evolving understanding of which behaviors are acceptable and which are not.

Intimate Hygiene Techniques

It is essential to teach girls proper intimate hygiene practices from a young age, using correct anatomical terms so that they can correctly identify and care for their bodies.

Clear and Age Appropriate Information : Explains the importance of washing the intimate area correctly, using water and a syndet or non-detergent cleaning product. In addition, they understand the importance of drying well to avoid humidity that can cause irritation or infections.

Bathing Routines : Instruct them on the proper frequency of washing and make sure they understand the importance of cleanliness during menstruation.

Selection of Hygiene Products : Guide them in choosing specific products for intimate hygiene that do not alter the natural pH of the area. Our Feminine Cleansing Foam with organic blueberry extract is a soft foam ideal for vulva hygiene, caring for the skin and hydrating the area.

With our cleansing foam , you can stay healthy, clean and odor-free.

Keeping the Doors Open

Transparent and open communication is essential at all stages of growth. It's important to establish yourself as a trusted reference point for sexuality and relationship issues, ensuring our daughters feel safe to share and ask questions.

Summing up, it is evident that sexual health education goes beyond simply transmitting information; is about building confidence, empowerment and respect for yourself and others.

Guiding our daughters through this journey with love, honesty, and openness will not only enrich their lives, but will also strengthen the family bond. Let's not underestimate the power of comprehensive and positive sexuality education; It is one of the most significant gifts we can offer you.

Sources consulted:

https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/adolescent-sexual-health/equitable-access-to-sexual-and-reproductive-health-care-for-all-youth/the-importance-of- access-to-comprehensive-sex-education/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liegjyYog3c

https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/issues/what-consent

https://www.bbc.com/storyworks/healthier-together/empowering-girls-through-sex-education