World Education Day, held on 24 January, is an opportunity to reflect on how broad education must be to shape active, informed citizens. Encompassing both formal and non-formal learning, an effective education system should not only teach grammar, mathematics, and the other usual subjects; it should also equip people with the skills needed to build healthy relationships based on consent, respect, and equality. This is where Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) plays a crucial role.
According to UNESCO and the World Health Organization (WHO), high-quality CSE is evidence-based, age-appropriate, and holistic. It addresses the physical, emotional, social, and relational dimensions of sexuality, as well as supporting people to understand bodily autonomy, consent, gender equality, and non-discrimination,
Promoting respect, equality, and informed decision-making throughout life, CSE is firmly grounded in human rights and directly contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals on education, health, and gender equality.
Comprehensive Sexuality Education, a prerequisite for safe societies
By fostering self-awareness, communication skills, and critical thinking, CSE plays a vital role in preventing gender-based violence (GBV), abuse, coercion, and harmful social norms. It helps children, adolescents, and adults recognise unhealthy behaviours, challenge stereotypes, and understand the importance of mutual respect and consent in all relationships.
Crucially, CSE addresses the root causes of GBV: by questioning rigid gender roles, power imbalances, and norms that make violence or control seem acceptable, CSE creates space for more equal and respectful interactions. Evidence shows that CSE is associated with improved attitudes towards gender equality, increased confidence in setting boundaries, and a greater willingness to seek help or intervene when witnessing violence.
As such, CSE is not an optional addition to education systems, but a key prevention tool that contributes to safer schools, healthier relationships, and more inclusive societies.
Yet, CSE remains a subject of political and legal debate in many contexts, underlining the urgent need to reaffirm education as a holistic, rights-based process that responds to the realities of people’s lives.
The SexSense Network for a more equal society
By connecting educators, researchers, civil society organisations, and advocates, SexSense works towards a shared vision of a society in which everyone can adopt inclusive, respectful, and informed approaches to sexuality, relationships, and wellbeing.
Through project design, research, advocacy, and capacity-building, SexSense promotes high-quality, rights-based CSE aligned with UNESCO and WHO standards. In doing so, the network strengthens collective expertise, amplifies evidence-based narratives, and supports those working on the ground to make CSE a reality for all learners.
On World Education Day, recognising education as a driver of equality, safety, and wellbeing means recognising the essential role of Comprehensive Sexuality Education. CSE equips people not only with knowledge, but with the skills, values, and critical thinking needed to build respectful relationships and prevent violence.
Investing in high-quality, rights-based CSE is an investment in safer societies, gender equality, and informed citizenship. Through collective action and shared commitment, networks like SexSense continue to push this vision forward – ensuring that education truly leaves no one behind.