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In this powerful piece, Laura Seidl, current WAVE Youth Ambassador from Austria, reflects on the lack of comprehensive sexuality education. Grounded in research and lived experience, the article highlights how feminist, intersectional approaches to sexuality education are key to preventing violence, challenging gender norms, and empowering young people. It makes a compelling case for recognising sexuality education not as a luxury, but as a fundamental right.
Written by
Laura Seidl, 4th generation WAVE Youth Ambassador (Austria)1
Even in a world where information is instantly accessible, how often do we ask whether young people are actually learning what consent means – or what a healthy relationship should feel like?
Growing up in Brazil, I have never had comprehensive sexual education implemented in my school’s curriculum. Occasionally, I would have awkward conversations with a professional who would come to my school and explain the very basics of what sex entails. This would usually lead to outbursts of laughter from boys, and complete embarrassment from girls. As an adult, I’ve realised just how many people I’ve spoken with either never had sex education at all, or only received a version so shallow it barely scratched the surface. This made me wonder – how different would our society be if every child and young person grew up with access to meaningful, inclusive, and comprehensive sex education?
To address these widespread gaps, the World Health Organization and the German Federal Centre for Health Promotion published a report in the European context titled “the 2010 Standards for Sexuality Education in Europe”, stipulating minimum standards for sexuality education. The report stresses a new need for sexuality education that has been pushed by several factors, such as globalisation, the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and stronger awareness of sexual abuse of children and young people (World Health Organization & German Federal Centre for Health Promotion, 2010). Further, it highlights the importance of implementing a holistic sexuality education, which includes providing unbiased, scientifically correct information on all aspects of sexuality.
In the absence of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), children and young people are likely to seek answers online. Globally, with over 70% of youth aged 15–24 now connected to the internet, digital platforms have become one of the main sources of information about sexuality. While these spaces can offer valuable opportunities for learning and connection, they also pose significant risks. Without proper guidance and regulation, young people may encounter misinformation and unrealistic portrayals of sex and relationships, particularly through unfiltered exposure to pornography, which can perpetuate harmful stereotypes, normalise violence, and reinforce existing gender inequalities (UNESCO, 2023).
Despite existing knowledge gaps in the field, sexuality education has consistently proven effective across multiple areas. CSE enhances understanding of critical topics such as consent, consequently preventing vulnerability to sexual abuse. Further, it promotes safe sex practices, such as the use of condoms and, as a result, prevents sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Additionally, evidence suggests that it supports “gender equitable attitudes, respect for sexual diversity, and gender equitable relationships” (Michielsen, & Ivanova, 2022, p.10). According to Goldfarb & Lieberman (2020), CSE is also a useful form of intimate partner violence prevention, the development of healthy relationships, increased empathy and respect for others, and promotes positive body image.
While comprehensive sexuality education has proven effective in promoting safe practices and healthier relationships, not all approaches are created equal. To truly address the root causes of gender-based violence, discrimination, and inequality, sexuality education must go beyond anatomy and prevention. According to a study conducted by Haberland (2015), sexuality education that delves into gender and power dynamics is five times more effective than those that do not. This highlights why a feminist approach to sexuality education is not just beneficial, but necessary. According to the European Women’s Lobby, feminist sexual education should empower students to examine how masculinity and femininity are socially constructed critically. Additionally, it should address the sexual objectification of women and girls, violence against women and girls, and the persistence of victim-blaming (European Women Lobby, 2020.).
It is additionally important to highlight how feminist sexual education must go hand in hand with an intersectional approach. This entails acknowledging that experiences intertwined by gender and sexuality are also shaped by intersecting systems of oppression, such as racism, classism, ableism, xenophobia, and others. Further, by adopting this approach, sexuality education becomes more inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the needs of all learners, particularly those who are most marginalised and often excluded from traditional curricula (Hajeck, 2016).
Although there is sufficient scientific evidence, the actual implementation of sexuality education across EU Member States is low. Not only is it low, but its actual implementation varies across countries; while most countries focus exclusively on biological factors, only a small fraction actually dives into topics related to gender, sexual diversity, and online media (Michielsen & Ivanova, 2022). Even so, in some EU Member States, some countries such as Hungary and Poland are explicitly against implementing such policies. In 2021, the Hungarian Prime Minister stated that sexuality education should be provided only by parents or caregivers themselves (Michielsen & Ivanova, 2022). Additional barriers, including limited funding and cultural or religious contexts, hinder the further implementation of comprehensive sexuality education.
For young people to build safe relationships, comprehensive sexuality education must be recognised as a fundamental right, and not a luxury. This means ensuring that no child grows up having fragmented or uncomfortable lessons that leave more questions than answers. Instead, every young person deserves access to education that empowers them to understand their bodies, respect others, challenge harmful norms, and navigate relationships with confidence and care.
How about you – have you had access to a comprehensive sexuality education?
References
- European Women’s Lobby. (2020). Feminist sexuality education: Ensuring safe, uncoerced, egalitarian and mutually pleasurable sex and relationships for the next generation: A synthesis report. European Women’s Lobby. https://womenlobby.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/lef_sexeduc_web.pdf
- Goldfarb, J. M., & Lieberman, L. D. (2020). Sexuality education and intimate partner violence prevention: A review of the literature. Journal of Adolescent Health, 66(1), 11–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.01.001
- Haberland, N. A. (2015). The case for addressing gender and power in sexuality and HIV education: A comprehensive review of evaluation studies. International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 41(1), 31–42. https://doi.org/10.1363/4103115
- Hajek, K. C. (2016). An intersectional approach to sexuality education: Examining the experiences of Black girls and women (Doctoral dissertation). ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.
- Michielsen, K., & Ivanova, O. (2022). Comprehensive sexuality education: Why is it important? (Study PE 719.998). Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs, Directorate‑General for Internal Policies, European Parliament. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2022/719998/IPOL_STU(2022)719998_EN.pdf
- UNESCO. (2023). Digital sex education: Findings from a global landscape analysis. Global Partnership for Education. https://healtheducationresources.unesco.org/sites/default/files/resources/GPF_Digital_Sex_Ed_Feb2023.pdf
- UNESCO, UNICEF, WFP. (2023). Ready to learn and thrive: School health and nutrition around the world. UNESCO, UNICEF, WFP. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000384421
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, & Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA). (2010). Standards for sexuality education in Europe: A framework for policy makers, educational and health authorities and specialists. Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA). https://www.bzga-whocc.de/fileadmin/user_upload/BZgA_Standards_English.pdf
Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash
