The Right to Sexuality Education

All people have a right to access basic information about sexual health and reproduction.



Health Canada (1994). Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education. Ottawa: Government of Canada:

"It [sex education] should be offered sequentially from the beginning of elementary school years to the last of high school years." P.12

"...behavioral changes arise out of informed individual choices." P.8

The objective or goal of sexual health education is that it, "...integrates positive, life-enhancing and rewarding aspects of human sexuality as it pursues the equally important goal of reducing or preventing sexual problems." P. 8

"Sexual Health is a major, positive aspect of personal health. Accordingly, sexual health education should be available to all Canadians as an important component of health promotion programs and services." P. 5

"Sexual health education provides the knowledge needed to avoid negative health activities. Schools are a 'primary vehicle' and 'vital source' to promoting healthy choices based on accurate information. ... Schools are pivotal organizations in providing sexuality education." P.8



Health Canada (2003). Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education. Ottawa: Government of Canada

"Developmentally appropriate sexual health education should be provided from the beginning of the elementary school years to the end of the high school years. It should be offered in schools as an integral component of a broadly based sexuality education program, and continue beyond school through the coordinated interaction of community agencies and services that adult are likely to encounter throughout their life-span.

  • Although adolescence is only one phase in a life-long process of sexual development and learning, adolescent sexuality is a central and positive part of the total well-being of young people. As a result, comprehensive sexual health education for adolescents involves far more than the prevention of unintended pregnancy and STI/HIV.
  • Sexual health education should include important topics such as developmental changes (i.e. puberty), rewarding interpersonal relationships, communication, setting of personal limits, media, stereotypes, prevention of STI/HIV, effective contraception, sexual assault/coercion, gender-role expectations, and sexual orientation.
  • Effective sexual health education provides information and opportunities to develop personal insight, motivation and skills that are relevant to an individual's current and future developmental needs in a safe and caring environment." (p. 20)


Advocates for Youth (2003). Myths and Facts about Sex Education. Retrieved March 2, 2003, from Advocates for Youth Organization Website.

"The World Health Organization reviewed evaluations of 47 programs in the United States and other countries. In 15 studies, sex and HIV/AIDS education neither increased nor decreased sexual activity and rates of pregnancy and STI. However, in 17b studies, HIV and/or sex education delayed the onset of sexual activity, reduced the number of sexual partners, and/or reduced unplanned pregnancy and STI rates. Expert panels that have studied this issue have concluded that comprehensive sex and HIV/AIDS education programs and condom availability programs do not increase sexual activity and can be effective in reducing high-risk sexual behaviors among adolescents."

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    © 2012 Sexual Health Centre Saskatoon -- Updated March 21, 2012.