Summary

Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) plays a central role in the preparation of young people for a safe, productive, fulfilling life in a world where HIV and AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unintended pregnancies, gender-based violence (GBV) and gender inequality still pose serious risks to their well-being.

This revised edition of the International technical guidance on sexuality education was commissioned by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The updates to the guidance were carried out under the leadership of Soo-Hyang Choi, Director, Division of Inclusion, Peace and Sustainable Development; with overall guidance provided by Chris Castle, UNESCO Global Coordinator for HIV and AIDS; coordination by Joanna Herat in the Section of Health and
Education; and support from Jenelle Babb, Cara Delmas, Rita Houkayem, Karin Nilsson, Anna Ewa Ruszkiewicz and Marina Todesco (former).

The updated and additional written content for the overall Guidance was prepared by Marcela Rueda Gomez and DoortjeBraeken (independent consultants); specific updates to the key concepts, topics and learning objectives were developed by a team from Advocates for Youth, comprised of Nicole Cheetham, Debra Hauser and Nora Gelperin. Paul Montgomery and Wendy Knerr (University of Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Intervention) carried out the review of evidence that informed
the update of this 2018 edition of the Guidance. Copy-editing and proofreading of the manuscript was done by Jane Coombes (independent consultant).