Comprehensive sexuality education: For healthy, informed and empowered learners

Countries have increasingly acknowledged the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to develop and sustain positive, healthy relationships and protect themselves from unsafe situations. While 85% of countries have policies that are supportive of sexuality education, significant gaps remain between policy and curricula, as per the global status report on CSE. The same report identifies that more than 4 in 5 countries cover relevant sexuality education content and topics in their national curriculum, though more progress is needed because a number of key topics are missing or taught too late.

UNESCO believes that with CSE, young people learn to treat each other with respect and dignity from an early age and gain skills for better decision making, communications, and critical analysis. They learn they can talk to an adult they trust when they are confused about their bodies, relationships and values. They learn to think about what is right and safe for them and how to avoid coercion, sexually transmitted infections including HIV, and early and unintended pregnancy, and where to go for help. They learn to identify what violence against children and women looks like, including sexual violence, and to understand injustice based on gender. They learn to uphold universal values of equality, love and kindness.

In the International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education, UNESCO and UN partners recommend pathways to promote health and well-being, respect for human rights and gender equality, and empower children and young people to lead healthy, safe and productive lives through quality CSE. The guidance is intended to support countries in their policies and decisions to invest in sexuality education for all learners based on the needs and realities of their peoples and culture. An online toolkit was developed by UNESCO to facilitate the design and implementation of CSE programmes at national level, as well as at local and school level. A tool for the review and assessment of national sexuality education programmes is also available. Governments, development partners or civil society organizations will find this useful. Guidance for delivering CSE in out-of-school settings is also available.

Through its flagship programme, Our rights, Our lives, Our future (O3), UNESCO reached 34 million learners in 35 countries across sub-Saharan Africa with life skills and sexuality education by the end of its first phase mid-2023,and an additional 35 million young people in and out of school through media platforms and advocacy mobilizing communities, teachers, religious leaders, parents and civil society. O3 Plus is also reaching and supporting learners in higher education institutions.