A/65/162 A. Patriarchalism and control of sexuality 7. As noted by the Special Rapporteur in paragraphs 17 and 18 of his report (E/CN.4/2006/45), patriarchalism is a system of social order imposing the supremacy of men over women, although it also determines strict roles for men and even divides the sexes against themselves. In addition to gender inequality, patriarchalism impedes social mobility and stratifies social hierarchies. 8. Patriarchalism is therefore a system which causes and perpetuates serious and systematic human rights violations, such as violence and discrimination against women. Education is the main fundamental tool for combating patriarchalism and generating the cultural shift so necessary for equality among individuals. When it is not properly organized, the education system has the opposite result, perpetuating injustice and discrimination. 9. One of the main methods used by the patriarchal system and its agents to maintain their sway is to deprive people of the possibility of receiving a human rights education with a gender and diversity perspective. B. Sexuality, health and education: three interdependent rights 10. Sexuality is a complex process which, as human beings, we all without exception experience throughout our life and which has biological, psychological, social and cultural aspects that must be considered from a comprehensive viewpoint. 11. Enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health obviously includes sexual health. The Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, Mr. Paul Hunt, has defined sexual health as “a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexuality, not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity; sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence”. 4 12. In order to achieve this state of well-being, we must be able to look after our health, deal positively, responsibly and respectfully with our sexuality and must therefore be aware of our needs and rights. This is possible only if we receive comprehensive sexual education from the outset of our schooling and throughout the educational process. To this end, school should foster pupils’ critical thinking about the various expressions of human sexuality and interpersonal relations, without reducing the topic to a biological approach (reproduction). 13. As in all areas of education, sexual education must be adapted to different age groups and cultures. In addition, teaching strategies must be differentiated and flexible to meet the differing needs of female and male students, taking into account the fact that persons with special needs — such as young people not attending school or young married women — need to be taught about sexuality through methods other than formal education, as do adults who, often because of misconceptions, do not have a full sexual life. __________________ 4 10-46213 See document E/CN.4/2004/49, para. 53. 5