The International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education (ITGSE) is a resource created by UNESCO, UNFPA, WHO and other organizations to inform countries on how to implement effective sexuality education programs for young people.
Here are the key concepts of the ITGSE:
- Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE): The ITGSE promotes CSE, which is a curriculum-based approach to sexuality education that addresses the cognitive, emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality. CSE goes beyond just biology and reproduction to cover topics like relationships, communication, and decision-making skills.
- Human Rights and Gender Equality: The ITGSE emphasizes that sexuality education should be grounded in human rights principles and promote gender equality. This means respecting the rights of all young people to comprehensive sexuality education, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, or other factors.
- Evidence-Informed: The ITGSE is based on the latest scientific evidence on sexuality education. This evidence shows that CSE can have a positive impact on young people’s health and well-being, including reducing their risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unintended pregnancy, and gender-based violence.
- Age-Appropriate: The ITGSE recognizes that sexuality education needs to be tailored to the age and developmental level of young people. This means that the content and approach of sexuality education will vary for different age groups.
- Culturally Appropriate: The ITGSE acknowledges that sexuality education needs to be sensitive to the cultural context in which it is being delivered. This means that programs should be adapted to reflect the values and beliefs of the communities they serve.
The ITGSE is a valuable resource for countries that are looking to develop or improve their sexuality education programs. It provides a framework for creating programs that are effective, evidence-based, and respectful of young people’s rights.
