A new school course would teach children from grades 5 to 12 for the first time about LGBT issues, sex and gender-based violence, as part of a proposed Ministry of Education curriculum.

The new course, called “Life Skills”, would be taught from grade 1 to 12, with coursework on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues beginning in grade 5.

Srun Srorn, a prominent LGBT activist who had been involved in drafting the text, said the curriculum was an important step towards combating discrimination against the LGBT community in Cambodia, as the material would be taught nationwide and would cover a broad range of issues.

According to Srorn, the material on reproductive health would serve three purposes. “First, to teach children about the biology of male and female bodies. Second, to explain gender identity and how this could differ from the biological sex. Third, to focus on gender-based violence, forced marriage and discrimination based on sexual orientation,” he said. Read more via Phnom Penh Post