Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is an age-appropriate, culturally relevant approach to teaching about sex and relationships by providing scientifically accurate, realistic, and non-judgmental information ((Stefiszzn 2014). It provides opportunities to explore one’s own values and attitudes and to build decision-making, communication and risk reduction skills about many aspects of sexuality (Stefiszzn 2014). The term ‘comprehensive’ emphasises an approach to sexuality education that encompasses the full range of information, skills and values to enable young people exercise their sexual and reproductive rights and to make values to enable young people exercise their sexual and reproductive rights and to make decisions about their health and sexuality (UNESCO 2014). CSE should not be conflated with sex education which merely lays emphasis on issues relating to sex.
CSE includes, but not limited, to the following:
-
- the human sexual anatomy
-
- sexual reproduction
-
- reproductive health
-
- reproductive rights and responsibilities
-
- emotional relations
-
- abstinence
-
- contraception
- other aspects of human sexual and non-sexual behaviour.
Furthermore, CSE must be based on core universal value of human rights; must have integrated focus on gender; must be based on thorough and scientifically accurate information; must make a link to sexual and reproductive health initiatives; must create an enabling environment where learners and teachers can air their views and must adopt a participatory teaching approach..8 Sexuality education should not be conflated with sex education which merely lay emphasis on issues relating to sex. Read more
