Comprehensive Sexuality Education programmes of WPF in UNESCO’s International Guidelines

Young people vulnerable
Too few young people in the world are getting prepared adequately for a healthy sexual life. This makes them vulnerable for coercion, abuse, exploitation, unplanned pregnancies and STIs, including HIV.

Information on HIV/AIDS
The UNAIDS report of 2008 said that only 40% of young people (15-24 years old) have correct and sufficient knowledge on HIV and the way one gets infected. This information is of the utmost importance because 45% of the new infections are among young people of 15-24 years old.

Sexuality Education
Comprehensive sexuality education is one of the “most important opportunities in breaking the trajectory of the epidemic”, according to the Ex. Director of UNAIDS. Furthermore, young people want more – and better – sexuality education, health care (for instance youth friendly services), and reliable sources to provide in their need to prevent STIs, unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and maternal mortality at a young age. And, it is clear that sexual and relational education should start at a young age, approximately from the age of 4. This will help them grow up in a stable way, and with the self-esteem to deal with the changes when becoming adolescents.

UNESCO: "sex. education necessary"
According to UNESCO, it is “necessary to influence young people and children before they become sexually active. Thus, comprehensive sexuality education must be part of the curriculum as from kindergarten. The lessons should be given by well-trained teachers with an eye for the individual child: still, they are the most reliable source of information and skills, and they are viewed as an highly appreciated group of professionals in reducing HIV/AIDS. Apart from that, special attention is necessary for young people out of school – often this group is the most vulnerable and the most sensitive to the wrong kind of information, and to (sexual) exploitation.”

International Guidelines
This is way UNESCO published international guidelines for effective sexuality education programmes, called: International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education: An evidence-based informed approach for schools, teachers and health educators.

Thorough evaluation
This publication was made possible by a cooperation of UNESCO with UNFPA, UNAIDS, UNICEF and WHO, and was based upon a thorough evaluation of sexuality education programmes worldwide. It serves as a practical resource for decision-makers and professionals working within educational and health fields, mapping out the core concepts of comprehensive sexuality education in an age-appropriate schematic. The document consists of two volumes: one containing guidelines, the other one containing examples of the most relevant topics and goals per age groups: from 4-8 years old; 9-12 years old; 12-15 uears old; and young people over 16.

WPF advocates
WPF is an advocate for adequate, comprehensive – evidence based – sexuality education for young people in developing countries. WPF has several sexuality education programmes in 7 Asian and African countries in which lesson packages are used, which were developed on site. These lessons provide young people in complete, accurate, evidence based sexuality education starting from the universal values of respect and human rights.

The World Starts With Me
WPF’s curriculum ‘The World Starts With Me’ (WSWM) was one of the 18 curricula which the guidelines were based upon. It is viewed as a good example of the ideal form of sexuality education. Furthermore, WPF’s technical advisor Jo Reinders took part in the consultation group which developed the Guidelines.
The different WSWM curricula of WPF are mentioned in the UNESCO Guidelines as being good and effective lesson packages.

Adaptations
Over time, WPF adapted the original Ugandan WSWM curriculum for various countries and target groups. The original curriculum was developed by Butterfly Works, WPF and SchoolNet Uganda.

>> List of WSWM adaptations