A/65/162
84. Concerning the form in which the topic is addressed, relatively traditional
strategies, such as lectures, predominate although more active, participatory
approaches have gradually been included in some cases.
85. One general problem arises from shortcomings in teacher training, which
tends to perpetuate stereotypical and even discriminatory ideas. This gap
undermines teachers’ confidence in their ability to do their job properly.
86. Last, there is a general lack of follow-up to and monitoring of sexual
education policies.
87. On the basis of these conclusions, the Special Rapporteur recommends
that States should:
(a) Eliminate legislative and constitutional barriers to ensuring their
people’s enjoyment of the right to comprehensive sexual education by adopting
and strengthening legislation aimed at guaranteeing that right without any
form of discrimination;
(b) Encourage the design and implementation of comprehensive,
sustainable public policies aimed specifically at ensuring their people’s
enjoyment of the human right to comprehensive sexual education. These
policies should focus on rights, gender and respect for diversity; provide for
coordination among agencies and with civil society; and provide the resources
necessary to their implementation;
(c) Ensure the inclusion of comprehensive sexual education from
primary school onwards, taking into account secondary school enrolment rates,
the age of first intercourse and other variables in a context of respect and
adaptability based on the age of students and the capacities associated with
their levels of emotional and cognitive development;
(d) In establishing the curriculum and the educational content of sexual
education, provide for the inclusion and expansion of a holistic perspective that
does not focus exclusively on biology and ensure that, inter alia, the gender
dimension, human rights, new patterns of male behaviour, diversity and
disability are included;
(e) Provide high-quality, specialized teacher training in an institutional
environment that supports teachers and increases their confidence through a
curriculum framework of medium- and long-term projects;
(f) Promote and incorporate various strategies through association with
education alternatives such as the media, organizations of civil society, peer
education and health-care centres and professionals;
(g) Foster respect for cultural relevance and age-specific criteria in the
context of comprehensive sexual education;
(h) Encourage the inclusion of families and communities as strategic
allies in curriculum design and implementation grounded in pluralism and
compliance with the obligation to provide comprehensive education, including
scientific information based on evidence and human rights standards;
(i) Take note of the declaration on “Preventing through Education”,
signed by the Ministers of Education of Latin America and the Caribbean in
20
10-46213
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents