International Day for Sexuality Education from childhood (SexEd Day)
The importance of sexuality education
November 20, 2024

According to a new report from the World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/home), it’s worrying to see a decline in condom use among teenagers, while the risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies are on the rise. This trend underscores the importance of sex education focused on self-respect and respect for others, prevention and the well-being of young people. The SexEd Day campaign aims to remind people of the importance of sexuality education from childhood, as recommended by experts in the 2009 UNESCO report (International Guidelines on Sexuality Education), and thus provide young people with the foundations for developing healthy sexual relationships, fostering their personal and relational fulfillment, by challenging the prejudices often associated with the subject.

Responsible exploration of sexuality involves taking care of one’s health and that of one’s partners, where condoms play a key role in reducing risks. Rather than seeing them as an obstacle, it’s essential to consider them as a tool for freedom and autonomy. It’s time to give sex education back the place it deserves, to encourage sexuality that’s both fulfilling AND safe.

UNESCO anticipated this need in 2009, introducing international guidelines to promote sex education for children aged 5 to 18. For 5-8 year-olds, these guidelines addressed natural curiosity about the body, exploration and touching of personal parts, and introduced masturbation as a natural act, to be performed in private. These guidelines were intended to help young people develop a healthy, positive, and respectful understanding of their own bodies and relationships, promoting their emotional and physical well-being and providing them with age-appropriate knowledge. However, these guidelines have since been modified, depriving young people of an essential educational foundation for dealing calmly with their sexuality.

As Rael points out, sexuality is a magnificent gift from our Creators, the Elohim, and it’s our responsibility to ensure that every teenager can explore it in an informed and responsible way, with respect for themselves and others. By integrating these teachings from childhood, we contribute to a more open and aware society, where teenagers can experience their sexuality in a fulfilling way.

To counter the alarming decline in condom use among teenagers, several actions can be considered:

• Reinforce sex education by insisting on the importance of condoms, while deconstructing preconceived ideas.
• Make condoms more accessible, discreetly and out of sight.
• Encourage open, taboo-free discussions where young people can discuss all aspects of their sexuality, for example via podcasts hosted by trained professionals.
• Promote positive role models, such as influencers specializing in sexual health or educational series that inspire responsible behavior.

As SexEd Day campaign, we believe that all of these proposals could contribute to creating an environment where teenagers feel informed, supported, and responsible for their sexual health.

In conclusion, the decline in condom use among teenagers and the persistence of the associated health risks underline the crucial importance of a return to comprehensive, taboo-free sex education from the age of 5. This education, based on health, safety, and personal development, protects young people and provides them with the knowledge they need to explore their sexuality in a healthy way. The SexEd Day campaign is committed to creating an environment where children and teenagers alike are supported, informed, and empowered to take responsibility for their sexual health and relationships.

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Translation: Régine Paradis