Sex education (also called sexuality education) is age-appropriate, evidence-based teaching about human sexuality, sexual health, relationships, consent, and reproductive biology. It provides people with accurate and non-judgmental information to help them make informed choices.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sexuality education equips young people with knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to protect their health and develop respectful relationships, make responsible choices, and understand and protect the rights of others.

UNESCO describes Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) as a curriculum covering cognitive, emotional, physical, and social aspects of sexuality and relationships.

 » Improve knowledge and skills

Provide accurate information about bodies, reproduction, and health to make informed decisions.

» Promote healthy behaviors

Help young people delay sexual initiation, reduce risk behaviors like unprotected sex, and protect against STIs and unintended pregnancy.

» Support respectful and safe relationships

Teach about consent, boundaries, communication, and mutual respect in relationships.

» Encourage emotional and social well-being

Help learners develop positive attitudes toward their bodies, sexuality, relationships, and diversity.

» Delayed and safer sexual activity

Research reviews commissioned by the United Nations indicate that CSE programs can lead to delayed initiation of sexual activity and safer sex behavior when young people do become sexually active.

» Improved health awareness and knowledge

Curriculum-based sex education programs increase young people’s knowledge about reproduction, sexual health risks, and contraception options. This supports better decision-making about sexual health.

» Broader psychosocial benefits

Systematic research over three decades finds that comprehensive sex education contributes to outcomes such as improved understanding of sexual diversity, prevention of intimate partner violence, development of healthy relationships, and better media literacy related to sexuality and relationships.

» No evidence of harm

Global guidance and evidence consistently conclude that high-quality CSE does not increase sexual activity or risky behaviors among young people. 

» Protection against abuse and exploitation

Teaching about rights, boundaries, and consent can help children recognize and respond to abusive situations and reduce vulnerability to sexual exploitation.

» Promotion of gender equality and respect

Programs that include gender and power dynamics help learners understand equality between males and females and reduce harmful gender norms that contribute to violence and discrimination.

» Counteracting misinformation and digital risks

Because young people often turn to the internet for sexuality information, formal education helps correct inaccurate or harmful information found online and supports safer engagement with digital content. 

» Vaginal-Penile Sex

Receptive vaginal-penile sex, also known as heterosexual intercourse, carries a high risk of HIV transmission, especially from a person with a penis to a person with a vagina, and is the most common mode of HIV spread worldwide. Peeing after sex is a traditional recommendation to help prevent UTIs, and it might help even though research is limited. Withdrawal before ejaculation does not reliably prevent HIV or other STIs.

» Anal-Penile Sex

Anal-penile sex, in which a penis or other objects, (such as sex toys, dildos, fingers) enters the anus, is a high-risk activity for HIV and other STIs. Using condoms and water- or silicone-based lubricants makes it safer by preventing condom breakage and reducing small tears in the anus, rectum, or penis. 

» Oral Sex

Oral sex involves contact between the mouth and the genitals or anus, including licking, sucking, or biting. While the risk of HIV transmission is low, it is not zero. Avoid swallowing semen, vaginal fluids, or menstrual blood, and be cautious if you have bleeding gums, ulcers, or gum disease, as these increase STI risk. Do not floss or brush immediately before oral sex; use a breath mint instead. 

» Use of Sex Toys

Sex toys like vibrators, dildos, butt plugs, and strap-ons can spread STIs if they are shared or not cleaned properly. Because they are made from different materials (such as silicone, rubber, vinyl, or metal), they require specific cleaning methods. To make sex toy use safer, use a new latex condom on the toy each time it is used by a different person or moved to a different part of the body (such as from the vagina to the anus). 

These activities do not spread STIs because there is no physical contact with another person's bodily fluids.

» Masturbation: touching your own genitals

» Phone sex, cybersex, talking dirty, and sharing sexual fantasies

» Intimacy without sex: hugging, touching, massage