Comprehensive sexuality education for the most disadvantaged young people: findings from formative research in Ethiopia

Abstract

Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) seeks to improve young people’s knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to sexual and reproductive health, sexual and social relationships, and dignity and rights. In Ethiopia, young people with disabilities and young women involved in sex work are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence and poor sexual health, yet face stigma and accessibility challenges that continue to exclude them from information, support and services. Because they are often out of school, these groups are also often excluded from programmes that are largely delivered in school settings. This paper explores the challenges faced by these groups of young people in accessing inclusive and age-appropriate sexual and reproductive health knowledge and services in the Ethiopian context and the implications for delivering CSE. The research included literature review, mapping analysis and interviews with young people from those two groups and with service providers and programme implementers. Our findings indicate that young people with disabilities and young women involved in sex work face myriad barriers to accessing information and services that support positive and healthy sexuality, relationships and rights. However, changes over the past decade to national and regional governance structures and a political environment in which CSE has become increasingly contested have generated siloed approaches to the provision of sexual and reproductive health information and services, and poor linkages to complementary services including violence prevention and social protection. It is vital that efforts to implement comprehensive sexuality education are informed by these challenges in the wider policy environment.

Influence of Social Media on Secondary School Students' Learning of Sexual Education In Nigeria

“…Sexual education, also known as sex education, encompasses the provision of information, skills, and attitudes pertaining to sexuality, sexual health, relationships, and reproductive anatomy and physiology (Fentahun et al, 2012;UNESCO, 2023). Its fundamental objective is to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of human sexuality, instill healthy attitudes and behaviors, and empower individuals to make informed and responsible decisions regarding their sexual health (Cumper et al, 2024;Pincock et al, 2023). Traditionally, the responsibility of delivering sex education rested with immediate family members, but societal shifts driven by modernization, western civilization, and evolving family structures have eroded this practice (Barak & Fisher, 2001;Fatemi et al, 2023).…”