New mom Jessica Biel is launching series of educational videos to teach young girls about sex and their bodies. The actress has partnered with WomanCare Global to discuss topics like menstruation, puberty, contraception and STD, among others, according to MTV News.
The 33-year-old actress opened up about her own worries and body issues when she tried to get pregnant with husband, Justin Timberlake. "I've been on the Pill for so long; how hard will it be to get pregnant? Suddenly I realized I really didn't know what's going on inside my own body," she told Glamour. "It was shocking."
Meeting Saundra Pelletier, the founder of WomanCare Global, Biel realized how ignorant she was about women's body issues. Pelletier, 46, who is also a mother, set up her organization to teach girls in the developing world about contraceptives and feminine products. "Understanding how their body worked to make those choices wasn't talked about," she told Glamour. Pelletier also didn't have to look far to see that the problem of sex education, or the lack thereof, is also present in the United States. "More than half of our nation's pregnancies are unplanned, and just 22 states require public schools to teach sex education. Biel and I realized we can help change this," she added.
The sex education videos will also feature other girls sharing their "stories, fears and insecurities," according to Heat World, and Biel assures that it will carry an informative tone, "but also goofy, smart and witty."
Biel has her fair share of goofy stories, too. "I was in a school play, wearing a gray beard and this pad the size of a skateboard and thinking, 'What is happening to me?'" she said, recalling the time she had her first period in fifth grade, according to US Weekly. "We want girls to know what their [body is going through] so they don't feel scared or ashamed or gross," said Biel.
From educational videos, Biel and Pelletier will also try to reach out to girls in other platforms in the hope of helping reduce cases of unwanted pregnancies. "We need to get young adults this information in a variety of ways." Pelletier told Glamour. "There is power and dignity in understanding your body."
The organization's initiative is lauded and welcomed by Ginny Ehrlich, the CEO of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
Watch out for the videos on WomenCare Global's website, which will be launched Sept. 28.
