Sexuality Education as a Vehicle for Girls’ Empowerment

Education International First World Women’s Conference

22 January 2011

Bangkok, Thailand

Justine SassUNESCO Asia-Pacific Regional

HIV & AIDS Adviser

Session objectives:Session objectives:

• Review how sexuality education can address gender dynamics and empower girls and young women.

• Consider elements of good quality sexuality education.

• Share technical resources and materials on sexuality education for further adaptation and use at country-level.

It is important to acknowledge that young people

guided by basic instinct, biological changes and

natural curiosity will always find

ways and means to acquaint themselves

with sexuality.World Population Foundation, Pakistan. 2010. A research study on the sexual and reproductive health and rights of young people in Pakistan.

Conflicting and confusing messages

about sexuality and gender

Consequences of being ill/un-informedUnmet emotional, social & health needs contribute to:

•Unintended pregnancy and (unsafe) abortions

•Gender-based violence and coercion

•Sexually transmitted infections, including HIV

•Perpetuating gender norms about masculinity and femininity that are harmful for both boys and girls / young men and young women

Sexuality education aims to…

Provide structured, age-appropriate learning opportunities before young people become sexually active to– Increase knowledge and understanding about

sexuality, relationships and sexual and reproductive health

– Explain and clarify feelings, values and attitudes– Develop or strengthen skills– Promote and sustain risk-reducing behaviour

What can sexuality What can sexuality education do to education do to

empower & empower & promote gender promote gender

equality?equality?

What can I do? gameWhat can I do? game

Good quality sexuality education

•Demands a supportive learning environment•Relies on learner-centred interactive teaching•Engages students in the learning process •Builds critical thinking & problem solving skills•Helps students connect the subject to their lives

Useful resourcesInternational Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education

• Provides an update on the evidence on curriculum-based sexuality education programmes for young people

• Outlines a “basic minimum package” of topics and learning objectives for CSE programme for those aged 5-18+

• Provides technical advice on the characteristics of effective programmes and how to implement them

Useful resources• UNESCO (2010) Levers of success:

Case studies of national sexuality education programmes

• The Population Council (2009) It’s All One Curriculum (2 Volumes)

• Plan International (2010) Sexuality education in Asia: Are we delivering?

• IPPF (2010) – Framework for CSE • IPPF (2010) – Healthy Happy

and Hot• IPPF (2009) From evidence to

action: Advocating for CSE