I discovered on the World Health Organization’s website some years ago a page that (broadly) included Sex Ed as a human right. The idea makes absolute sense to me, and I’ve said that phrase many times ever since. Recently I needed to find the citation… and it took me for-ev-er. It is not an official position (yet) for the WHO, but rather a “working definition” about sexual rights. So, for my future self or anyone else… here’s the link. They say:
Sexual rights embrace human rights that are already recognized in national laws, international human rights documents and other consensus statements. They include the right of all persons, free of coercion, discrimination and violence, to:
and they list things critical to the realization of sexual health, including
- seek, receive and impart information related to sexuality;
- sexuality education;
Again, it’s still just a “working definition” and not something that’s been fully ratified or whatever political process needs to happen for it to be an “official definition” but I’m putting it here so I can find it again the next time I need it! (and to share it with you, too, of course.) :^)
The International Women’s Health Coalition lists “comprehensive sex education” as part of their definition of sexual rights here.
In 1994 the United Nations convened the “International Conference on Population and Development” which also addressed sexual rights, and specifically the right to sexuality education. Wikipedia entry here.
National Sexuality Education Standards are here.
Originally posted 2019, updated 2021
