World AIDS Day

 Comprehensive sexuality education (or CSE) is defined as “an age-appropriate, culturally relevant approach to teaching about sex and relationships by providing scientifically accurate, realistic, nonjudgmental information. Sexuality education 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.” Source: International technical guidance on sexuality education. Volume I. Paris: UNESCO; 2009. Comprehensive sexuality education is referred to differently across countries, Many different names are used, reflecting an emphasis on various aspects of CSE by different countries. As with all curricula, CSE must be delivered in accordance with national laws and policies.  

 Essential topics  > Human growth and development  > Sexual anatomy and physiology  > Family life, marriage, long-term commitment and interpersonal relationships  > Society, culture and sexuality: values, attitudes, social norms and the media in relation to sexuality  > Reproduction  > Gender equality and gender roles  > Sexual abuse/resisting unwanted or coerced sex  > Condoms  > Sexual behaviour (sexual practices, pleasure and feelings)  > Transmission and prevention of sexually transmitted infections  Desirable topics  > Pregnancy and childbirth  > Contraception other than condoms  > Gender-based violence and harmful practices/rejecting violence  > Sexual diversity  > Sources for sexual and reproductive health services/seeking services  > Other content related to sexual and reproductive health/sexuality education

Essential topics  > Transmission of HIV  > Prevention of HIV: practicing safer sex, including condom use  > Treatment of HIV  Desirable topics  > HIV-related stigma and discrimination  > Sources of counselling and testing services; seeking counselling, treatment, care and support  > Other HIV and AIDS-related specific content Source: Measuring the education sector response to HIV and AIDS—guidelines for the construction and use of core indicators. Paris: UNESCO; 2013.  UNESCO has developed a set of “essential” and “desirable” topics of a life skills-based HIV and sexuality education programme. The essential topics are those that have the greatest direct impact on HIV prevention, while desirable topics are those that have an indirect impact on HIV prevention but are important as part of an overall sexuality education programme