Learning the Facts of Life

A photo-essay about young teachers' challenges to teach their peers the basic facts of life. A groundbreaking project in – where else? – Shibin Al-Kom, Monufiya. Some of the challenges already met:

Fatima, 16: "I learned that circumcision is only needed in a few cases where the vagina is deformed."

Ahmed, 17: "I have learnt about the female reproductive system, monthly periods, and the menopause. This will mean that when I get married I can give my wife good information."

Ahmed, 18: "Others were concerned that the project is funded by a foreign organization. They thought its purpose was to corrupt our society. But we started with religious concepts, put everything into a religious framework, and used verses from the Holy Koran to back up what we were saying."