Sexuality, for the LoveAct partnerships, has a broad definition; in fact, we consider it as complex and mutable concept, not reduced to sex only, and, moreover, not only to cisgender and heterosexual relations; It is the interaction of several dimensions, namely the cognitive, emotional, physical, social and spiritual dimensions.

Recognising this complexity, we refer to UNESCO’s definition of education on these matters included in its 2018 “International technical guidance on sexuality education”, which talk about Comprehensive Sexuality Education and define it as:

“a curriculum-based process of teaching and learning about the cognitive, emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality. It aims to equip children and young people with knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that will empower them to: realize their health, well-being and dignity; develop respectful social and sexual relationships; consider how their choices affect their own well-being and that of others; and, understand and ensure the protection of their rights throughout their lives.”

What is the history of CSE?

• 1990 – the The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child includes the provision of measures to protect children from all types of abuse, including educational measures to avoid sexual abuse (Article 19)
• 1994- Sex education began to be addressed during the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in 1994, which was a pioneer initiative for the promotion of gender equality, equity and women empowerment and to address the importance of safeguarding sexual and reproductive rights and health for all. However, at this point a proper definition of CSE still needed to be developed. 
• 1999 – what was truly a milestone in the process of setting up the concept of CSE and addressing its importance was the adoption of the Declaration on Sexual Rights (approved in 1999 and reviewed in 2014). The 10th article of this Declaration establishes “The right to education and the right to comprehensive sexuality education”, “Comprehensive sexuality education must be age appropriate, scientifically accurate, culturally competent, and grounded in human rights, gender equality, and a positive approach to sexuality and pleasure.”
• 2001 – The European Regional Strategy on Sexual and Reproductive health indicates as a core objective the inclusion of sexuality education programmes in school curricula. 
• 2010 – TheWorld Health Organization publishes the Standards for Sexuality Education in Europe
• 2015 – The United Nations includes in the Sustainable Development Goals:
  • SDG3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
  • SDG4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
  • SDG5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
• 2017 -a High-level Technical Meeting on Advancing Comprehensive Sexuality Education to Achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was held in Oslo, Norway.
• 2018 – UNESCO publishes the International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education to guide education, health and other authorities in the development of CSE programmes with young people in and out of school. It provides definitions, key concepts and learning objectives divided by age groups.   

Some facts on CSE:

Fact 1: “CSE eliminates false beliefs concerning sexuality thanks to evidence-based and updated information.”

It is a fact that every society, culture and generation has its own myths and false beliefs concerning sexuality, so the role of CSE is to provide children, adolescents and young people with the knowledge, skills and tools to be able to differentiate myths from facts, to question such myths and to appreciate the importance of knowing reliable  information. 

Fact 2: “CSE promotes critical thinking and autonomous decision-making processes.”

CSE takes into account that people willing to learn about sexuality come from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and differ in their age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, family and community values, religion and other characteristics. For this reason, CSE encourages a critical reflection about existing personal and community values and perceptions of family, community and peers on sexuality and relationships, trying to help people to make decisions on their own. 

Fact 3: “CSE promotes body autonomy and consent based on one’s own desire.”

CSE draws from international treaties establishing the right to sexual and reproductive health, which includes the right to make free and responsible decisions and choices, free of violence, coercion and discrimination, over matters concerning one’s body and sexual and reproductive health. Sexuality has a deep link with power and being able to control one’s body is a really extreme form of showing this power. CSE comes as a tool to understand the relationship between sexuality, gender and power, its political and social dimensions, and offer the resources to overcome it.   

Fact 4: “CSE celebrates diversity in all of its forms.”

Firstly, CSE adapts its own content depending on each person or group’s age and needs, thus we can say that CSE adopts diversity as a foundation, making sure everyone feels included. Secondly, CSE contributes to making visible many realities which have been traditionally or historically discriminated against, oppressed, violated or made invisible. Finally, it promotes values not only of tolerance and respect, but of inclusion of all kinds of diversity. 

Fact 5: “CSE fosters self-knowledge and self-confidence.”

CSE aims to make positive changes and transformations and it fosters the empowerment of individuals and communities in order to achieve a greater knowledge of themselves, to appreciate and to value themselves. This is made by providing facts and information that are based on evidence and kept up-to-date, through the naturalization of “taboo” topics, the integration of diversity and inclusive values, the promotion of critical thinking and the advance of a human rights and sexual rights framework. 

Fact 6: “CSE fosters the development of communicative, emotional and relational skills.”

Subjects such as Math’s, Language or Sciences have to be taught in schools, and that’s absolutely fine! However, unfortunately, in the majority of schools there is no place for a subject that teaches us how to manage and express our emotions, how to create more positive bonds and relationships and how to communicate assertively. For this reason and taking into account a broad and complete definition of sexuality, CSE takes good care of including these important topics within its curriculum. 

Fact 7: “CSE should be promoted by professionals on the matter.”

Indeed! Sexologists and sex educators, as well as well-trained and supported teachers, are the professionals officially entitled to promote CSE and to teach CSE programs in schools and other educational centers. In some countries, Sexology can be studied as a Degree, in other countries, you can study a wide range of Degrees (namely Psychology, Education, Medicine, Nursery, Social Work, etc) and complete your education with a Master’s Degree in Sexology. In any case, CSE educators have the best academic and professional background needed to provide the best education possible. At the same time there are also many activities that teachers can implement to break the ice and keep the conversation going. 

Fact 8: “CSE puts pleasure in the center, as a source of health and wellbeing.”

Historically and traditionally, the focus on sex education has been put on the risks of getting pregnant or getting a STIs (of course, from a  cisgender/heterosexual  and penetrative perspective that makes invisible any other realities). Nevertheless, CSE tries to avoid this focus  fear and rather promotes a vision of sex education and sexual health that is based on a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships.  It also emphasizes the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. In addition, CSE tries to foster a reflection on how gender norms and stereotypes have influenced people’s expectations and experiences, limiting sexual pleasure. Furthermore, CSE states that young people who live with either mental, physical or emotional disabilities are all sexual beings and have the same right to enjoy their sexuality within the highest attainable standard of health, including pleasurable and safe sexual experiences.