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About PHLYPPhilly Youth Power (PHLYP, pronounced “ip”) is a project of AccessMatters to address the specic sexual and reproductive health education concerns that exist for teens ages 13-19 who have been impacted by systems of care (such as foster care, child welfare, and juvenile justice services). e aim of PHLYP is to provide med-ically accurate, culturally inclusive, and trauma-informed services that empower youth and facilitate positive development. PHLYP strives to be a trusted resource for sexual and reproductive healthcare and information. A key component of the project is the PHLYP Youth Advisory Board, one of many ways in which teens have become involved and shaped their own PHLYP experience, from the curriculum to events and programs. is publication is a project of the PHLYP Youth Advisory Board. History of the ZineOver the past three years, the PHLYP Youth Advisory Board (YAB) has been learn-ing about the state of comprehensive sex education in Pennsylvania and identifying areas for improvement in the information and health education curriculum deliv-ered to students in Philadelphia. In an eort to produce a tangible product that fully captured their interests and lived experiences with sexual and reproductive health, the PHLYP Youth Advisory Board started a Zine Project in February 2023. is ultimately led to this fantastic collection of lived experiences, artistic expression, and creative words that capture what the PHLYP Youth Advisory Board members believe are critical pieces of information for folks to learn about in order to fully understand why comprehensive sex education is so vital to our schools and communities.

What We BelieveSexual health education should be comprehensive, unbiased, medically accurate, evi-dence based, and accessible to all! e goals of comprehensive sex education are to: • Provide unbiased, medically accurate and evidence-based information about the physical, mental, emotional and social aspects of human sexuality • Continue sexual health education throughout the lifespan in a way that is devel-opmentally- and age-appropriate • Ensure people have the information and tools to maintain and improve their own sexual health and prevent disease.• Reinforce freedom around sexuality and sexual decision-making as a human right • Model sex positivity and reduce stigma and shame• Use language that is expansive and arming of all bodies, genders, sexes, sexuali-ties, ethnicities, races, and abilities Comprehensive sex education should cover information on: • Human development, including: anatomy, puberty, sexual response, reproduction, pregnancy and birth, gender identity, and sexual orientation • Personal skills, including: giving and receiving consent, setting boundaries, assess-ing risk, making decisions, and handling rejection • Healthy relationships to oneself (e.g. body image), partners (e.g. respect and ac-countability), and communities (e.g. standing against bias and discrimination); how to recognize unhealthy relationships and where to nd help • How to access sexual and reproductive health care services • All FDA-approved contraception and all pregnancy options, including abortion care • All FDA-approved medication for treatment and prevention of STIs, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medication

A Note on LanguageAcknowledgementse pages that follow are the contributions of members of PHLYP’s Youth Adviso-ry Board. We have retained youth voice. Please note: the terminology used doesn’t always align with the current language AccessMatters uses but we recognize that the individual contributors may identify with specic terminology. In order to preserve youth voice and provide additional insight, AccessMatters has provided context as necessary in places throughout the Zine.AccessMatters would like to acknowledge the PHLYP Youth Advisory Board Mem-bers, former AccessMatters’ Sta Emmah Evangelista, Sam Borbon, and Joy Shubert, and current AccessMatters’ sta: Claire Grin, PHLYP Project Manager, and Au-drey Ann Ross, Senior Manager for Communications and Policy for their collective vision, leadership, design, and coordination to bring this project from concept to fruition. Special thanks to our Graphic Artist Bread Tarleton for their coordination, workshop facilitation, design vision, and to the Soapbox: Community Print Shop and Zine Library for zine training and printing. In addition to the individual submissions (credited below), members of the PHLYP Youth Advisory Board worked together on this project from original conception to the nal design. anks to our members: Adriana Termine, Anahi, Angela Landy, Ayanna, Briana, Cammie (He/She/ey), Gianna Padilla, Jaden, Kiara, Matthew Mattiocco, Meihar, Nylaa, Payton, RJ, Sameerah, Tae, Tatiana, Valerie, and to those who wish to remain anonymous, including “A Nice Warm Person”

ContributorsPHLYP Youth Advisory Board ............................................ pp. 01-05 PHLYP Power Through Choices students .................................... p. 06Gianna ................................................................................ p. 07Cammie (She/He/They) .................................................... pp. 10-12 Gianna Padilla .................................................................... pp. 13Adriana Termine.............................................................. pp. 14-23 Gianna Padilla .................................................................... pp. 24 Anonymous Youth Member of PHLYP ........................................ p. 25 Angela Landy ................................................................. pp. 26-28 Alannah ........................................................................ pp. 29-30 Kiara ................................................................................... p. 33 Ayanna ................................................................................ p. 34Briana ........................................................................... pp. 35-36 Sameerah Dowd-Wallace .................................................. pp. 37-42 Matthew Mattiocco ................................................................ p. 43Adriana Termine ............................................................. pp. 44-45Anonymous Youth Member of PHLYP ................................. pp. 46-47 PHLYP Power Through Choices students .............................. pp. 48-49 PHLYP Youth Advisory Board ............................................ pp. 50-51

PHLYP Youth Advisory Board Members

Table of ContentsComprehensive Sex Education.......................................................01Safer Sex...................................................................................08Relationships.............................................................................24Birth.........................................................................................31LGBTQ+.....................................................................................37Sex and Power............................................................................44Self-Empowerment......................................................................48Advice to Parents and Caregivers Having the Talk...........................50

1Comprehensive Sex EducationAccessMatters believes sexual health education should be comprehensive, unbiased, med-ically accurate, evidence based, and accessible to all! e submissions below feature PHL-YP Youth Advisory Board members highlighting what they believe should be included in comprehensive sex education and why it is important to them.

2Comprehensive Sex EducationWhy do we as teens in Philadelphia need comprehensive sex ed?We live in a world where women and young girls are systemically losing their bodily autonomy. Further, we live in a world where sex education programs in schools are ineffective, minimal, or nonexistent altogether. Existing programs most often preach abstinence which isn’t a proper solution for teens exploring their. body. Programs also often skip over queer sex and leave queer youth to gure out sex on their own or from improper sources leading to sexual trauma in some A lot of teen do things without actually thinking about the consequences, somethings might not be in their control, but nine times out of 10 we as teenagers act on things based off of our bodies feeling. A lot of schools don’t teach teenagers about consent or different body parts. Basically just a Health that you need and that needs to be changed. There are a lot of things that I’m now learning that my school failed to teach me. Everybody still learn about consent and sex Ed before going out into the world. Comprehensive sex ed provides teens with accurate information about their bodies, relationships, and making informed choices. It goes beyond just the biological aspects of sex and covers topics like consent, communication, and the emotional aspects of relationships. With comprehensive sex ed, teens are better equipped to navigate the complexities of sexuality, make responsible deci-sions, and foster healthy relationships. It’s not just about preventing unwanted pregnancies and STIs; it’s about empowering teens to make choices that align with their values and well-being.If I had had comprehensive sex ed I probably wouldn’t have had sex/relationships with some of the people I did. I also would have known what to do and not have the sexual trauma I have from exploring sex on my own. PHLYP Youth Advisory Board Members

3Comprehensive Sex EducationTeens need a safe place to talk about their sexual experiences without feeling judgedTeens want to make informed and responsible decisions Sex ed teaches us how to have safe and healthy sex and what our responsibilities areEveryone has a right to know how and why their body does what it does and more teens will understand how to take care of their bodies.We need to keep our body’s safe It is essential to our overall physical and mental health. Having the support and knowledge to understand your body and relationship is so important to understanding who you are.Why do we as teens in Philadelphia need comprehensive sex ed?PHLYP Youth Advisory Board Members

4Comprehensive Sex EducationWithout comprehensive sex ed, where do teens get information about their bodies, sex, and relationships?Most teens nd information about sex ed from various forms of social media, leaving space for misinformation and identity crisis.The internet most likelyThey just don’t know what’s going on To their friends Normally we don’t know who to talk to and may start to feel embarrassed and hide things.Porn ParentsDoctors or obgynPHLYP Youth Advisory Board Members

5Comprehensive Sex EducationYouth Advisory Board members voted on the topics we thought should be most urgently included in comprehensive sex education.Our answers below.PHLYP Youth Advisory Board Members

6Comprehensive Sex EducationWhat are some reasons people choose to have sex?What are some reasons people choose not to have sex?PHLYP Power Through Choices Students

7Comprehensive Sex EducationIF YOUR BODYCOULD TALK…-IT WOULD INTRODUCE ALL OF ITS PARTS TO YOU-—TELLING YOU TO TAKE CARE OF IT AND BE PATIENT- -SO LISTEN TO YOUR BODY-UTERUSUTERUSCERVIX VAGINAFALLOPIAN TUBEOVARYPENISURETHRA TESTICLE PENISBLADDERPROSTATEGianna

8Safer SexSafer SexAccessMatters believes safer sex is a key component of comprehensive sex education. 100% safe sex does not exist but there are many tools to help make it less likely to pass or get a sexually transmitted infection (STI) during sex or have an unintended pregnancy. Education about safer sex should include: • Awareness of which sexual activities can result in pregnancy or pass STIs • Practicing assertive communication strategies you can use with partners to talk about birth control, condoms, and testing • External and internal condoms and dental dams (also referred to as barrier methods) • Birth Control (also referred to as contraception) • Medication taken aer sex to prevent pregnancy (referred to as Emergency Contracep-tion) • Regular testing for STIs (on a schedule that works for you or aer a potential exposure to an STI) • Options for treating STIs and information about the importance of treatment Vaccinations against specic STIs (HPV, Hepatitis B) Daily medication taken prior to exposure to HIV (pre-exposure prophylactic – also called PrEP) Medication taken within 72 hours (about 3 days) following exposure to HIV (post-exposure pro-phylactic – also called PEP) e submissions below underscore the importance of safer sex and outline a few of the safer sex tools listed above in greater detail.

9Safer SexFor more information about STIs, pregnancy, and safer sex options, visit: Planned Parenthood - www.plannedparenthood.org Bedsider - www.bedsider.org Advocates for Youth - www.advocatesforyouth.org/resources-tools Scarleteen - www.scarleteen.com AccessMatters’ Information Hotline is an information, referral, and counseling hotline. If you have questions about sexual and reproductive health or need referrals, you can call the Access-Matters’ Information Hotline at 215-985-3300 for free, condential information.* You can also text the hotline at: 833-667-3377. *Interpreter Services Available

10Safer SexCammie (She/He/They)

11Safer SexCammie (She/He/They)

12Safer Sex Cammie (She/He/They)

13Safer SexKNOW YOURBIRTH CONTROL THE PILLDAILY CONSUMPTION OF THE PILLBY MOUTH, PAUSES OVULATIONAND HAS A 93-99% ACCURACY.THE SHOT THE SHOT IS ADMINISTER BY AHEALTHCARE PROVIDER ABOUTEVERY 3 MONTHS AND HAS A 96-99%ACCURAY.THE IUDTHE IUD IS SURGICALLY INSERTED INTOTHE CERVIX AREA AND LAST ABOUT 8-12YEARS AND CAN BE REMOVED AT ANYTIME . WITH A 99% ACCURACY. THE PATCH THE PATCH STICKS TO YOUR BODY ANDIS SWITCHED OUT WEEKLY. RELEASINGHORMONES INTO THE SKIN TO PAUSEOVULATION. WITH A 93-99% ACCURACY. OTHER FORMS OF CONTRACEPTIONVAGINAL CONDOMS , ORAL CONDOMS,VAGINAL RING, PLAN B Gianna

14Safer Sex Adriana

15Safer SexAdriana

16Safer SexAdriana

17Safer SexAdriana

18Safer SexAdriana

19Safer SexAdriana

20Safer Sex Adriana

21Safer SexAdriana

22Safer Sex Adriana

23Safer SexAdriana

24RelationshipsAccessMatters believes comprehensive sex education should promote healthy relation-ships to oneself (e.g. body image, self-esteem), to others (e.g. respect and accountability), and to community (justice and equity). Personal skills such as giving and receiving con-sent, setting boundaries, handling rejection, identifying abusive behaviors, and seeking out resources are vital to the health and well-being of young people. e following sub-missions highlight messages from PHLYP Youth Advisory Board members about these interpersonal and emotional aspects of navigating sexuality and sexual health decisions. love yourselflove yourselflove yourself and your relationshipsand your relationshipsand your relationships ConsentConsentConsentCommunicationCommunicationCommunicationTrustTrustTrustVulnerabilityVulnerabilityVulnerabilitySupportSupportSupportRespectRespectRespectLoveLoveLoveGianna

25RelationshipsConsensual sex.ere are dierent types of ways to ask for sex some are consensual some are not today I’m gonna give prime examples almost to explain dierent scenarios and if it’s consensual or not Because everybody should have the right to say no and no means no it shouldn’t be any if Ands or buts about it so basically the rst one I’m going to speak about is peer pressure if someone asked to have sex and you already said no they can peer pressure you and so can other people around you at the moment so your thinking you half to do it nobody has to have sex if they do not want another one if you say no and he’s touching you giving you all his excuses to why he wants to have sex or like it will just be ve minutes. It will just be two minutes. If you already said no, and end up, saying yes, but you’re a heart, or you personally did not want to say yes, and are not ready to do what ey are trying to do. at is rape. If you are unsure about it, and they still push you to do it that is rape if you are already having sex with a person and you don’t want to nish having sex you want to stop you’re ask-ing him to stop but if he does not stop when you ask that turns into rape. If you are drugged, that is rape, somebody is taken advantage of you. If you are unconscious, that is rape. Anything non-consensual is rape., rape can go a whole bunch of dif-ferent ways from you saying yes, but not meaning it or It can come forcefully Every girl has a say so about their body. And a guy should always ask before they touch any woman And rape is not a game. Some guys think it’s cool and that’s not good because no means no Anonymous Youth Member of PHLYP

26Comprehensive Sex EducationI think schools should teach about consent and how to say yes and no without feeling cornered or forced and who to talk to if otherwiseAngela

27Comprehensive Sex EducationI think schools should teach about the human body and make clear that there are different types of body g-ures and different parts on different sex and genderAngela

28Comprehensive Sex EducationI think schools should teach about healthy relationships because it’s an everyday part of life. I think schools should give resources if that person feels like they’re stuck in an unhealthy relationship and how to get out of it safelyAngela

29Comprehensive Sex Educationey didn’t talk about how when losing one’s virginity can have a signicant impact on an individual’s mental state, as it is oen seen as a transformative and emotional-ly charged experience. For some, this milestone can bring about a sense of empow-erment and newfound condence, as it marks a transition into adulthood and the exploration of one’s sexuality. It can foster a greater understanding of one’s own de-sires and preferences, leading to increased self-awareness and self-esteem. However, for others, the experience may evoke feelings of vulnerability, anxiety, or even regret. e emotional signicance attached to losing one’s virginity, coupled with societal expectations and personal beliefs, can contribute to a range of complex emotions. It is important to recognize that the impact on mental well-being can vary greatly from person to person, and seeking support from trusted individuals or professionals can be benecial in navigating these feelings and emotions.Having access to comprehensive and accurate information about sex can signi-cantly impact one’s sex life in various ways. Firstly, it can enhance communication and understanding between partners. With better knowledge about sexual anatomy, physiology, and techniques, individuals can have more open and informed discus-sions about their desires, boundaries, and preferences. is can lead to improved communication during sexual encounters, ensuring that both partners feel comfort-able and satised.Alannah

30Comprehensive Sex EducationComprehensive sex education can contribute to a healthier and more positive atti-tude towards sex. Overall, access to comprehensive sex education for teens in Philly is vital for pro-moting their sexual health, reducing teenage pregnancy and STIs, fostering inclusiv-ity, and equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary for healthy relation-ships and decision-making. It plays a crucial role in empowering young people and ensuring their well-being in matters of sexual and reproductive health.Alannah

31BirthBirthAccessMatters believes empowering youth choice around sexuality and health care is crit-ical to health and wellbeing. ere continues to be a lack of resources for young parents and teen birth is stigmatized in many communities. e following submissions demon-strate the resilience of YAB members who are navigating birth and parenting, and under-score the importance of ensuring young people who choose to have a child receive sup-port and resources to help them during their pregnancy and aer giving birth. Resources for Pregnant and Parenting Teens For help nding resources and applying for benets, you can call the AccessMatters Ma-ternal/Child Health Hotline at 215-985-3301 Benets You may have the right to receive benets to help you cover the cost of caring for yourself and your baby! COMPASS is a web site that allows you to apply for a broad range of social programs including SNAP, Medical Assistance, and Cash Assistance. Visit this site and ll out the initial screening to see what your family is eligible for: www.compass.state.pa.us/ Health Care Philly Loves Families - Mental Healthcare Becoming a parent is exciting, thrilling, and wonderful. It is also major life-changing event that can come with mental and emotional challenges. e Philly Loves Families team is here to connect you with people and programs that lend mental and emotional support. Visit www.phillylovesfamilies.com Philly Families CAN- Free support and expertise for new parents where you’re most com-fortable – at home! Free Support Professionals that will be there to provide you the help and resources you need to keep you and your baby healthy during your pregnancy until your baby is 3 years old. Go to https://phillyfamiliescan.com/ or call 215-685-4701 e Nurse-Family Partnership provides regular home visits with a registered nurse during pregnancy, these visits continue until the baby is two years old. To qualify, participants must be having their rst baby, be no more than 28 weeks (about 6 and a half months) pregnant, live in Philadelphia, and meet the income requirements. ere is no cost for the program. To enroll, please call 215-287-2114 or visit www.nursefamilypartnership.org/

32Birth Food WIC (Women, Infant, and Children’s Program) WIC is a program that provides nutritious foods during and aer your pregnancy and to young children. You qualify if you are pregnant, have given birth within the past 6 months, or are breastfeeding. Your child qualies until they are 6 years old. Contact the WIC Main Oce (1300 W Leigh Avenue) by calling 800-743-3300 or visit www.pawic.com/ Education ELECT (Education Leading to Employment Career Training) Teen Parent programs help pregnant and parenting teens nish their high school education and plan for college and/or employment aer high school. e ELECT sta provides academic and social service support, case management, home visits and group activities. For more information call 215-400-4250 or ELECTinfo@philasd.org

33BirthKiara

34BirthAyanna

35BirthBriana

36BirthBrianaNational Maternal Mental Health Line e National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, condential support before, during, and aer pregnancy. Available in English and Spanish. Call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746). TTY users can use a preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 1-833-943-5746. For more resources visit: www.phillylovesfamilies.com/mental-emotional-support

37LGBTQ+LGBTQ+AccessMatters believes comprehensive sex education should be inclusive and should use language that is expansive and arming of all bodies, genders, sexes, sexualities, ethnici-ties, races, and abilities. Comprehensive sex education includes safer sex tools and infor-mation for people who are intimate or have sex with people from the same gender. e following submissions by PHLYP Youth Advisory Board members underscore the impor-tance of expansive, arming, and inclusive comprehensive sex education. e language used in the submissions below aligns with those individuals’ preferences for how they describe their own sexuality. e terminology “both genders (male and female)” is used by a youth in this submission. In alignment with our inclusive lan-guage principles, AccessMatters encourages people to use the language “attracted to more than one gender” since gender is a spectrum and not binary. It is important to ask people what terms they prefer. More information can be found here:https://glaad.org/reference/terms/ Sameerah

38LGBTQ+SameerahWhat Is Sexual Orientation Sexual orientation (sexuality) is the emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction that a per-son feels towards another person. Below are some denitions of sexual and gender identities I nd useful. Note that it is always important to respect the language people use to describe themselves, rather than put a label on them! Straight: ‘Straight’ is used by some people who mostly or exclusively emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually attracted to members of a dierent gender: Straight men are attracted to women, and straight women are attracted to men. Straight people are sometimes called “heterosexual.” Why I chose to make this zine. I chose to make this zine because growing up I was raised in a family that didn’t like the idea of people being with the same gender or loving a person that is the same gender as themselves. Just the thought of someone loving a person who is the same gender makes them very uncomfortable and sometimes they even voiced their opinions in a negative way. Six years ago I realized that I liked both genders (male and female) and that was hard to come to terms with because I grew up in a religious family I was always told that loving someone of the same gender was a sin. So I made this zine to help others who don’t know that much about sexuality and are having a hard time coming to terms with themselves and their identity.

39LGBTQ+LGBTQIA+ stands for: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or queer, intersex, asexual. It is an inclu-sive term the includes people of diverse sexual identities and gender identities. Gay: e term ‘gay’ is sometimes used to describe same-gender attracted individuals of any gender. It is also used by some men who are mostly or exclusively emotionally, romanti-cally, and/or sexually attracted to other men. Anyone of any gender may self-ID as gay or same-gender attracted. Sameerah

40LGBTQ+Lesbian: ‘Lesbian’ is used by some women who are mostly or exclusively emotionally, romantical-ly, and/or sexually attracted to other women. Historically and today non-binary people who choose to describe themselves this way have been part of the lesbian community. Queer: ‘Queer’ is a term that has been reclaimed as an identity. It means dierent things to dierent people, sometimes including attraction to people of many genders, non-con-formity to norms around gender or sexuality, or as an umbrella term for everyone of a non-straight sexual identity. Sameerah

41LGBTQ+SameerahBisexual: ‘Bisexual’ is used by some people who are mostly or exclusively emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually attracted to any gender, or to their own and other genders. Bisexual people make up a signicant portion of queer young people. People of any gender can identify as bisexual and be attracted to more than one gender. Pansexual: ‘Pansexual’ is used by some people who are mostly or exclusively emotionally, romanti-cally, and/or sexually attracted towards people of all genders, or regardless of their body or gender identity. Pansexual people might refer to themselves as gender-blind asserting that gender and bodies are not determining factors in their emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to others. People of any gender can identify as pansexual.

42LGBTQ+SameerahLGBTQ Teen Resourcesese are some resources that I found very helpfulThe Attic Youth CenterProvides a wide range of services to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth in Philadelphia - 255 S 16th Street - 215-545-4331www.atticyouthcenter.orgMazzoni Center - Weekly Youth Drop-In Clinic• Free medical care oered for individuals 14-24 years old• No appointment or insurance required• HIV testing and counseling oered, along with risk reduction tips, health education, and informa-tion on our safe school programs.• Other services include: food, tokens, hygiene kits, assistance with benet applications and housing, mental health, education, and vocation referrals• Legal, dental, and vocational referrals also available. For more information call 215-563-0652 x 323• www.mazzonicenter.org/health-care/community-health/teen-drop-clinicTransgender: Some people whose gender identity or gender expression does not correspond with the sex they were assigned at birth describe themselves as trans. Some trans people experience gender dysphoria. Some choose to transition, oen adopting a new/dierent name and pronouns in the process. Gender is distinct from sexual identity, and trans people have diverse sexual identities.

43LGBTQ+Matthew

44Sex and PowerSex and PowerAdrianaAccessMatters believes gaining information and tools to combat bias and discrimination is a key component of comprehensive sex education. Sex education does not exist in a vacuum. Students are receiving this information in a world structured by inequality and power imbalances along the axes of gender, race, ethnicity, class, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Students need to be given the tools to discuss how these inequalities aect their lives and critically engage with the messages they have received about sex, e following submissions examine the relation-ship between sex and these systems of power.

45Sex and PowerAdriana

46Sex and PowerWhat are sexism and genderinequality?Sexism Denition : prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against wom-en, on the basis of sex.Sexism is an ideology based on the belief that one sex is superior to another.Sexism can come in many types of forms whether it’s the way you dress, the way you talk, your humor and jokes, how muscular you are, body language, and lack of respect. it can happen to anyone and anywhere whether you’re at home or in a workplace or just outside on the street in your favorite café. Earlier research showed that experiences of sexism were linked to poorer mental and physical health, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), binge drinking and smoking.I think everyone should have gender equality. ere are 49 countries without laws against domestic violence. 45 countries without legislation against sexual harassment. And 112 countries where marital rape is not a crime. Gender inequality is a major cause and eect of hunger and poverty: it is estimated that 60 percent of chronically hungry people are women and girls.Anonymous Youth Member of PHLYP

47Sex and Powerese gures show the condition of women and girls globallySource: World Bank, https://datatopics.worldbank.org/sdgatlas/archive/2017/SDG-05-gender-equality.html UN Women https://eca.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/women-and-the-sdgs/sdg-5-gender-equality-0 Concern USA https://concernusa.org/what-we-do/gender-equality/ Anonymous Youth Member of PHLYP

48Self-EmpowermentSelf-EmpowermentWhat does Self-Empowerment Mean to You?AccessMatters believes the core of comprehensive sex education is promoting youth’s voice and agency when it comes to making decisions about their sexual and reproduc-tive health. e answers below were provided by student participants in PHLYP’s Power rough Choices program. PHLYP Power Through Choices Students

49Self-EmpowermentWhat Makes You Feel Empowered?PHLYP Power Through Choices Students

50Advice to Parents and Caregivers Having the TalkAdvice to Parents and Caregivers Having the TalkAccessMatters believes youth voice is a critical component of education, health, and well-ness. e answers below are responses to a group activity the PHLYP Youth Advisory Board did altogether and capture what they think parents and caregivers should consider when talking to teens about sexuality and sexual heath.PHLYP Youth Advisory Board

51Advice to Parents and Caregivers Having the TalkPHLYP Youth Advisory Board

Your Questions: