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Published in:
26-01-2022
Barriers and Facilitators for Formulation and Implementation of a Sex Education Programme in Saudi Arabia: Stakeholders’ Perspective
Published in: Sexuality Research and Social Policy | Issue 4/2022
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Abstract
Introduction
Sex education has been shown to improve the sexual health of adolescents. However, many countries, including Saudi Arabia, still lack formal, school-based sex education programmes.
Methods
We examined the views of 28 stakeholders on anticipated barriers and facilitators to formulating and implementing a school-based sex education programme in Saudi Arabia. We conducted semi-structured interviews with policymakers, healthcare providers, teachers and religious scholars in 2017. We used the Walt and Gilson policy triangle framework to guide our analysis.
Results
We report on facilitating and hindering factors related to context, specifically structural, situational, cultural and global factors. Distinguishing between barriers and facilitators proved difficult as many factors served as both potentially facilitating and hindering implementation simultaneously. For example, the hierarchical nature of the governing system in Saudi Arabia was viewed as potentially easing implementation on the one hand and obstructing it on the other. Most of the barriers were related to predicted societal resistance to addressing sex-related topics. The current social and governmental changes were described as increasing ‘openness’ and were seen as providing a window of opportunity for possible implementation and social acceptability.
Conclusion
A general consensus on the need for sex education for adolescents in Saudi Arabia was observed. Barriers and facilitators to designing and implementing a school-based sex education programme were described in relation to the religious and cultural context of the country. However, the current rapid contextual changes related to governmental and social openness were described as providing a window of opportunity for facilitating implementation and delivery with minimal public opposition. Emphasis was placed on framing sex education as a form of health promotion.
Policy Implications
Findings from this study may be useful for policymakers to develop and implement school-based sex education programmes in Saudi Arabia and other similar political and/or cultural contexts.