By offering free comprehensive sex education programmes, Siti Aishah Hassan Hasri of Spot Community Project wants to remove the embarrassment and stigma around sexual and reproductive health
Siti Aishah Hassan Hasri was a university student when she visited several low-cost housing projects in Kuala Lumpur, where she talked to parents and children about their sexual and reproductive health. Realising the lack of information and awareness about these issues, she was inspired to pursue a career in educating and empowering people on these vital issues.
In 2015, Siti Aishah established the Spot Community Project, a volunteer-driven initiative that educates young people in Malaysia about sexuality. Since its inception, Siti Aishah has successfully educated over 29,000 young people, even during the pandemic.
The programme aims to provide accurate, culturally sensitive information for better decision-making and positive attitudes towards sexual and reproductive health.
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I am someone who works at the grassroots level. People have suggested that becoming an advocate would bring greater attention to the issues and result in a more significant impact. However, there are sufficient advocates out there. I want to be on the ground with the kids to understand each community’s issues and develop long-term and impactful solutions together.
As I face challenges in running the organisation, I always return to my values: love, compassion, tolerance and inclusivity. These are the principles I also teach in Spot, emphasising the importance of inclusivity, love and care towards others. These values form the foundation of all our programmes. This is why parents and teachers find it easier to collaborate with us as we actively promote love.
There is no way to discuss periods without addressing sex and reproductive health. Body issues such as body image and mindset, as well as attitudes towards sex, are interconnected with this topic. To do so effectively, we need to find an age-appropriate and culturally sensitive approach that is relatable.
We need to talk about sex from a perspective and approach that respects individuals. We should discuss all aspects of puberty for both genders and the need to develop coping skills to manage stress during this stage of life.
See more honourees in Education on the Gen.T List 2023.