Sexuality Education as a Vehicle for Girls’ Empowerment

Justine Sass UNESCO Asia-Pacific Regional HIV & AIDS Adviser Education International First World Women’s Conference 22 January 2011 Bangkok, Thailand

Session objectives:

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

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Consider elements of good quality sexuality education.

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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-informed Unmet emotional, social & health needs contribute to:

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Unintended pregnancy and (unsafe) abortions

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Gender-based violence and coercion

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Sexually transmitted infections, including HIV

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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

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Increase knowledge and understanding about sexuality, relationships and sexual and reproductive health

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Explain and clarify feelings, values and attitudes

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Develop or strengthen skills

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Promote and sustain risk-reducing behaviour

What can sexuality education do to empower & promote gender equality?

What can I do? game

Good quality sexuality education

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Demands a supportive learning environment

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Relies on learner-centred interactive teaching

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Engages students in the learning process

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Builds critical thinking & problem solving skills

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Helps students connect the subject to their lives

Useful resources International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education

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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

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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