Resources

UNESCO published the International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education (ITGSE): An evidence-informed approach for schools, teachers and health educators, in 2009. It put forward the rationale for sexuality education, technical advice on characteristics of effective programmes, and topics and learning objectives to be covered in a ‘basic minimum package’ of sexuality education for children and young people aged 5–18+. Since the publication, UNESCO, several UNAIDS cosponsors and other international partners have advocated for ‘comprehensive sexuality education’ (CSE) for all adolescents and youth, and as an essential component of quality education.
With the passage of time and the expanded understanding of the role of CSE, UNESCO sought to review the ITGSE with the aim of updating its content to reflect the evidence and lessons learned from implementing sexuality education programmes since 2009. UNESCO sought the technical services of a consultant team to conduct an evidence review to inform the update.
This review would involve research on new evidence and good practice in sexuality education including evidence on the effectiveness of CSE and lessons documented through the implementation of sexuality education programmes to highlight benchmarks of quality CSE content and modalities of delivery. The research was also intended to make recommendations as to the: adequacy of existing content; presence of any gaps in this content; and evidence-based recommendations on how such content gaps can be addressed in the updated ITGSE.