Welcome to TARSHI's Basics and Beyond eLearning Course on Sexuality, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights adapted from TARSHI's Basics and Beyond training manual by our team of experts.

What is new?

In 2016, we updated and streamlined the original 50-hour course and are now offering it as two separate short courses: Part 1, Basics and Beyond Online Course on Sexuality and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Part 2, Beyond Basics Online Course on Sexuality and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.

The eLearning courses are available at a nominal fee (non-refundable). If you are interested in taking Part 1 of the course i.e. Basics and Beyond Online Course, please pre-register here and we will send you an email with all the information (including the fees and payment details) you need to take the course. The Basics and Beyond Online Course (Part 1) addresses foundational level concepts around sexuality, gender and SRHR and is a pre-requisite for Part 2 of the course, i.e. Beyond Basics Online Course which will be announced later in the year.

For more information on Part 1 of the course, please check the tabs below.

• What is the Basics and Beyond Online Course Part 1 course about?

  This eLearning course is a virtual platform for learning and engaging with Sexuality and Sexual and Reproductive Health and related issues, from an affirmative, rights-based perspective.

  The Basics and Beyond Online Course Part 1 aims to address gaps in access to accurate information around sexuality which may have come about due to the lack of comprehensive sexuality education in schools; or because sexuality-related subjects do not feature in curricula of various professional courses for service providers.

  Therefore, this eLearning course is open for anyone who seeks to understand Sexuality and SRHR – the learner could be a student, training to be a counsellor or a teacher, be with an NGO whose work concerns these issues, or simply someone keen to know more about the topic! The course also contains tools to understand how to run a workshop, should one wish to use the concepts learnt in a training.

  The course takes a contemporary approach to sexuality-related capacity building, supported by TARSHI’s experience of over 20 years in working on sexuality and SRHR.

  It is hosted on an easy-to-access online interface and includes a wide range of learning styles, such as storytelling, academic articles and multimedia resources to help learners understand and introspect on sensitive and challenging issues. It also includes some time-bound, moderated interactive components that will help learners discuss and clarify concepts with fellow course mates and TARSHI resource persons.

• Who is it meant for? How will they benefit?

  In a nutshell, the Basics and Beyond Online Course Part 1 course is for anyone who seeks to understand Sexuality and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and the impact of these concepts in their personal and professional lives, and their interactions with the society.

  It adds to the knowledge and skills of students or professionals in social work, the social sciences, counselling, teaching, nursing and medicine. It is particularly useful for newcomers to the field who can use this course to develop a solid foundation of knowledge in these topics.

  It also enables those working in a variety of related fields to acquire resources to effectively conduct a training programme on issues related to Sexuality and SRHR.

  Since the course can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, it is designed to reach out to a large and diverse audience. When combined with classroom lessons or workshops, it can increase effectiveness of learning. As a participant of a time-bound course, learners get an opportunity to interact with a diverse group of people interested in Sexuality and SRHR from varied geographies.

• What are the objectives of the course?

  • To build clarity and understanding on sexuality, sexual health, reproductive health and rights issues.
  • To strengthen practitioner skills in providing training on Sexuality and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)
  • To act as a refresher for busy professionals working as counselors, teachers or in different capacities with NGOs, hospitals, educational institutions, etc.
  • To serve as a mini-compendium of accurate information about sexuality, sexual health, reproductive health and rights

• What is the structure of the course?

  The Basics and Beyond Online Course Part 1contains three modules, each with individual chapters, exercises and assignments. The chapters combine technical content with programme principles, best practices, and case studies. The course also has a module ‘Preparing to Train’, specially meant for those learners who want to be trainers on Sexuality and SRHR.

  Module 1 and 2 is expected to take 8-10 hours to complete and the Module 3 can be completed in 1-2 hours. Each chapter is highly focused, and can be completed in approximately 75 - 90 minutes.

  Module 1: Basic Concepts on Sexuality

  A foundational module on sexuality, gender and rights, with chapters that explain the concept of sexuality, gender, identities, as well as explore some varieties of sexual expression and how to demystify pleasure. It also includes a values clarification component.

  Module 2: Sexual and Reproductive Health 

  A module that covers sexual and reproductive anatomy, conception, contraception and abortion, assisted reproductive technologies, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Reproductive Tract Infections, and sexual problems/concerns.

  Module 3: Preparing to Train

  A module designed for learners who are/wish to be trainers. It offers tips and tools to enable them to conduct an effectual and interactive training session. It also contains exercises that offer information on the kind of preparation necessary to conduct and lead an effective workshop.

• About Previous Courses

  We received overwhelming responses from different parts of the world for the Spring and Fall Courses of 2015. Eventually, 53 people from Bangladesh, Germany, Italy, India, Jordan, Kenya, Nepal, Netherlands, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sweden and Zimbabwe successfully completed the course and were awarded certificates. Learners included researchers, students, trainers, development professionals, grant makers, health professionals and corporate sector workers.
  
  Analysis of learners’ responses displayed a deepening of understanding around sexuality and sexual and reproductive health and rights. A shift in perspective could be seen on issues related to rights of marginalised communities such as sex workers, people living with HIV and people living with disabilities. Learners appreciated the videos, examples and illustrations on various issues related to SRHR which were provided throughout the course. They were appreciative of the quality of discussions on the closed Facebook group forum and we hope to invite some of the previous participants to engage with the upcoming course participants and enrich the experience for all concerned. One of the learners from last year, Dr Sharada Vinod Kutty, shared:

  Dear TARSHI, as a doctor, I have been quite disconnected from the social sciences. It was a wonderful journey of self-discovery as I navigated my way through the course. It helped me question and clarify a lot of my misconceptions! I truly believe that this course will help me function as a more empathetic medical care provider! Thank you and keep rocking.