The Gap in International Sexual Education

Within the United States and around the world, comprehensive sexuality education has been proven to improve sexual and reproductice health, reduce sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies, and encourage safe sexual behaviors, according to UNESCO. However, there still remains a large gap between sexual education policy of different countries and how they are implemented, if implemented at all. While countries like Sweden, France, Denmark, and Belgium are reported to have robust and effective sexual education curricula and programs, other countries like China, India, and Indonesia do not have sufficient sexual education practices in place. This leads to accidental pregnancies, sexual shame and stigma, and higher rates of STI infection.

Even countries that have written promising policy and created programs to encourage better national sexual education, these policy pieces and programs are not always properly implemented. For example, in parts of Africa like Cameroon, the law emphasizes the importance of sexual education on contraceptive methods and STDs for girls, yet fails to deliver said education. Sexual education for young girls remains a taboo topic. Other countries encourage implementation of sexual education courses, but end up only sharing information in their biology classes.

In Poland, the Catholic Churches restricts sexual education until after one is married and prohibit the use of birth control, leading to increased chances of unwanted pregnancy and general sexual unawareness.

The World Conference on Women Committee focuses on accessible, effective, and sexual education for women and their partners. As we approach our committee session, how can we 1) advocate the need for proper sexual education programs and policies around the world, and 2) ensure that these actions are properly implemented and creating sufficient impact in their respective countries? What constitutes sufficient sexual education? How can this education properly acknowledge the cultural, religious, and social norms of a country? What can the World Conference on Women Committee do to encourage effective sexual education implementation?

Best,

Audrey Gunawan
Assistant Director