Comprehensive sexuality education

Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) gives young people accurateage-appropriate information about sexuality and their sexual and reproductive healthwhich is critical for their health and survival.

While CSE programmes will be different everywherethe United Nations’ technical guidance – which was developed together by UNESCOUNFPAUNICEFUN WomenUNAIDS and WHO – recommends that these programmes should be based on an established curriculum; scientifically accurate; tailored for different ages; and comprehensivemeaning they cover a range of topics on sexuality and sexual and reproductive healththroughout childhood and adolescence.

Topics covered by CSEwhich can also be called life skillsfamily life education and a variety of other namesincludebut are not limited tofamilies and relationships; respectconsent and bodily autonomy; anatomypuberty and menstruation; contraception and pregnancy; and sexually transmitted infectionsincluding HIV.

Sexuality education equips children and young people with the knowledgeskillsattitudes and values that help them to protect their healthdevelop respectful social and sexual relationshipsmake responsible choices and understand and protect the rights of others. 

Evidence consistently shows that high-quality sexuality education delivers positive health outcomeswith lifelong impacts. Young people are more likely to delay the onset of sexual activity – and when they do have sexto practice safer sex – when they are better informed about their sexualitysexual health and their rights.

Sexuality education also helps them prepare for and manage physical and emotional changes as they grow upincluding during puberty and adolescencewhile teaching them about respectconsent and where to go if they need help. This in turn reduces risks from violenceexploitation and abuse.

Children and adolescents have the right to be educated about themselves and the world around them in an age- and developmentally appropriate manner – and they need this learning for their health and well-being.

Intended to support school-based curriculathe UN’s global guidance indicates starting CSE at the age of 5 when formal education typically begins. Howeversexuality education is a lifelong processsometimes beginning earlierat homewith trusted caregivers. Learning is incremental; what is taught at the earliest ages is very different from what is taught during puberty and adolescence.

With younger learnersteaching about sexuality does not necessarily mean teaching about sex. For instancefor younger age groupsCSE may help children learn about their bodies and to recognize their feelings and emotionswhile discussing family life and different types of relationshipsdecision-makingthe basic principles of consent and what to do if violencebullying or abuse occur. This type of learning establishes the foundation for healthy relationships throughout life.

Many people have a role to play in teaching young people about their sexuality and sexual and reproductive healthwhether in formal educationat home or in other informal settings. Ideallysound and consistent education on these topics should be provided from multiple sources. This includes parents and family members but also teacherswho can help ensure young people have access to scientificaccurate information and support them in building critical skills. In additionsexuality education can be provided outside of schoolsuch as through trained social workers and counsellors who work with young people. 

Well-designed and well-delivered sexuality education programmes support positive decision-making around sexual health. Evidence shows that young people are more likely to initiate sexual activity later – and when they do have sexto practice safer sex – when they are better informed about sexualitysexual relations and their rights.

CSE does not promote masturbation. Howeverin our documentsWHO recognizes that children start to explore their bodies through sight and touch at a relatively early age. This is an observationnot a recommendation. 

The UN’s guidance on sexuality education aims to help countriespractitioners and families provide accurateup-to-date information related to young people’s sexualitywhich is appropriate to their stage of development. This may include correcting misperceptions relating to masturbation such as that it is harmful to healthand – without shaming children – teaching them about their bodiesboundaries and privacy in an age-appropriate way.

There is sound evidence that unequal gender norms begin early in lifewith harmful impacts on both males and females. It is estimated that 18%or almost 1 in 5 girls worldwidehave experienced child sexual abuse.

Research showshoweverthat education in small and large groups can contribute to challenging and changing unequal gender norms. Based on thisthe UN’s international guidance on sexuality education recommends teaching young people about gender relationsgender equality and inequalityand gender-based violence. 

By providing children and young people with adequate knowledge about their rightsand what is and is not acceptable behavioursexuality education makes them less vulnerable to abuse. The UN’s international guidance calls for children between the age of 5 and 8 years to recognize bullying and violenceand understand that these are wrong. It calls for children aged 12–15 years to be made aware that sexual abusesexual assaultintimate partner violence and bullying are a violation of human rights and are never the victim’s fault. Finallyit calls for older adolescents – those aged 15–18 – to be taught that consent is critical for a positive sexual relationship with a partner. Children and young people should also be taught what to do and where to go if problems like violence and abuse occur.

Through such an approachsexuality education improves children’s and young people’s ability to react to abuseto stop abuse andfinallyto find help when they need it. 

There is clear evidence that abstinence-only programmes – which instruct young people to not have sex outside of marriage – are ineffective in preventing early sexual activity and risk-taking behaviourand potentially harmful to young people’s sexual and reproductive health.

CSE therefore addresses safer sexpreparing young people – after careful decision-making – for intimate relationships that may include sexual intercourse or other sexual activity. Evidence shows that such an approach is associated with later onset of sexual activityreduced practice of risky sexual behaviours (which also helps reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted infections)and increased contraception use.

On sexuality educationas with all other issuesWHO provides guidance for policies and programmes based on extensive research evidence and programmatic experience.

The UN global guidance on sexuality education outlines a set of learning objectives beginning at the age of 5. These are intended to be adapted to a country’s local context and curriculum. The document itself details how this process of adaptation should occurincluding through consultation with expertsparents and young peoplealongside research to ensure programmes meet young people’s needs.