Bloom-ED recently caught up with Hiromi to ask about her work with Family Planning Australia.
1. How and why did you get involved in relationships and sexuality education?
Growing up in Japan as a girl, for a long time I considered thinking or talking about sexuality
and relationships as taboo. I first came across the term ‘self-pleasure’ when I was studying
in university and joined a feminist society. This helped me to reframe sexuality as positive
instead of shameful, and I felt relieved. I learned how it is important to be able to ask questions and talk about sexuality. That is how I became interested in working in relationships and sexuality education (RSE), which is also known as comprehensive sexuality education (CSE).
2. Can you tell us about some of the projects you are involved with?
In Pacific countries, the term Family Life Education (FLE) is more commonly used rather
than RSE or CSE. Currently, I am working with Family Planning Australia to support the
development and provision of out-of-school FLE programs in many Pacific nations which is
funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). We work in partnership with
UNFPA and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) across the Pacific, to jointly design, implement and provide FLE to young people. Our role includes developing tailored FLE resources and providing training to local facilitators who can then train people within their own networks in providing best-practice, evidence based education on
relationships and sexuality.
3. Why do you think it’s important that the people you work with have access to
comprehensive relationships and sexuality education?
It’s very simple. Everyone has the right to make informed choices on their sexual and
reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
4. You work with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. What
tips do you have for RSE educators to engage CALD communities?
I can provide two perspectives in answering this question. Firstly, as a woman from a CALD
background, and secondly, as a project officer who has worked to increase CALD inclusivity
in health care sectors.
I came to Western Australia (WA) as an international student in 2019. I remember being confused and overwhelmed navigating the Australian health care system and overseas student health cover. I had some trouble understanding all the policies and medical jargon. I wish I had someone come into my university and tell us how to navigate the system. Now that I work in SRHR, I know there are resources like the International Student Health Hub, but I didn’t know about them at the time.
One of my first roles was to work with CALD communities through Ishar Multicultural Women's Health Services in WA. I had consultations with CALD women to look at how the healthcare sector can be more inclusive and culturally responsive when screening for intimate partner violence.
