The Egyptian government has ordered school curriculum to remove content related to male and female anatomy, reproductive health and sexually transmitted infections, the Inter Press Service (IPS) reports. The revisions affect students ages 12 to 17. Lessons on reproductive health were added to Egyptian curriculum in 1994 after an international conference held in Cairo asserted the right of all people to receive such information. Health advocates are concerned this decision is the result of increasing conservative and religious influences. Surveys have shown that Egyptians, especially young women, lack basic knowledge about reproductive health, safer sex and HIV/AIDS.

To read the IPS article, click here.