Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) is fundamental to guaranteeing the health, rights, and development of children and young people globally. Despite strong opposition from transnational and regional anti-rights networks, evidence shows that quality, rights-based sexuality education promotes self-determination. It reduces risky behaviours and gender-based violence and ensures bodily autonomy for all.
Situation and Urgency
CSE faces coordinated opposition, disinformation, and restrictive policies driven by global and local ideological actors. Inaction threatens the health, equality, and capacity of young people to reach their full potential. Now is the time to propose decisive and unified leadership.
We unite to demand:
- Mandate and Fund CSE: Governments must enact clear legal frameworks and allocate resources to guarantee quality, inclusive, comprehensive sexuality education inside and outside of all schools.
- Promote Science-Based and Rights-Based Curricula: Offer accurate, age-appropriate content that challenges discrimination, recognizes and celebrates diversity, and promotes the transformation of gender norms.
- Empower Teachers and Youth Leaders: Invest in professional development for educators and recognize young people as central actors in advocacy and implementation.
- Engage Families, Communities, and Social Leaders: Promote dialogue, build trust, and reduce stigma by including parents, religious leaders, and community leaders.
- Leverage Digital Innovation and Partnerships: Use digital platforms to expand reach, especially to vulnerable and out-of-school youth, and to combat misinformation.
- Monitor, Evaluate, and Ensure Accountability: Establish robust monitoring systems, transparent progress reporting, and effective responses to feedback from young people and educators.
Call to Action
Policymakers, social leaders, educators, youth, and civil society must act now to guarantee the right of every child and adolescent to comprehensive sexuality education. By implementing these key actions, we will build healthier, safer, and more just societies for all generations
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