Right to Sexual and Reproductive Health Education 2016
certain conditions.49 However, most participants stated that it is advisable to
get the approval of the first wife and in cases where consent is not given, many
tend to travel abroad and get married furtively and often these marriages are
not registered in the Maldives.
10.3 Factors that shape person’s knowledge and perceptions
10.3.1 Need for information and Sources of Information
It was understood from the discussions that a significant number of
respondents from the FGDs have either tried or tried and failed to find
information regarding SRH. The need to find information and to have
knowledge of such issues differed among the participants. While the younger
participants were more curious and enthusiastic about gaining information,
the participants from the youth and adult groups were less so. Majority of the
school students who participated in the FGDs mentioned that they needed
information related to SRH issues and believed that information regarding SRH
must be given to all students starting from Grade Four onwards. Upon
inquiring as to why they thought this was so important, almost all the
participants stated that it is one of the most essential information for life,
health and wellbeing.
This was the same response obtained from the youth, education and health
FGs. Nevertheless, the opinion on the level and amount of information to be
given differed among the FGs. While the youth group stated that all
information regarding SRH must be made available to students, the personals
from the education and health sectors stated that information for students
must be filtered and made available in an age appropriate manner. However,
there were mixed responses from the parents. While a majority of the parents
49
The Holy Quran (4:3).
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THEMATIC ANALYSIS