Sexualities education

This research theme explores the pivotal role of educators in delivering effective sexuality education, emphasizing initial teacher education (ITE), ongoing professional development, and teacher attitudes towards sexuality education. Understanding and improving teacher preparedness is crucial because teachers' confidence, knowledge, and attitudes directly influence the fidelity and comprehensiveness of sexuality curricula. Addressing barriers faced by educators and embedding sexuality education training early in teacher education can enhance program delivery and student outcomes.

This theme focuses on the crucial insights provided by young people regarding their sexuality education experiences and expectations. Engaging youth as active participants rather than passive recipients enriches program relevance, challenges prevailing risk-centric discourses, and validates students’ sexual agency and lived realities. Understanding youth perspectives fosters more inclusive, affirming, and intersectional sexuality education programs that address emotional, relational, and identity dimensions often neglected in traditional curricula.

This theme investigates varying definitions and implementations of 'comprehensive sexuality education' (CSE), emphasizing normative tensions, cross-cultural differences, policy framing, and inclusivity challenges, including accessibility for marginalized groups such as people with disabilities. Understanding these conceptual and practical divergences is essential for developing globally relevant, rights-based, and culturally sensitive sexuality education programs that reconcile human rights commitments with local values and improve equitable access.