Oral statement submitted by RFSU, Rutgers, DFPA, Sex og Politikk and IPPF during the 56th session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD56)

Honorable Chair, esteemed delegates, and fellow advocates,

This statement is made on behalf of the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (RFSU), Rutgers, the Danish Family Planning Association, Sex og Politikk and the International Planned Parenthood Federation.

A lack of access to education, information and healthcare services related to sexual and reproductive health and rights, creates extensive barriers and difficulties for all people to live healthy lives. The information and education that all women and girls and young people want and need about their health, is far too often missing. This, for example, includes basic information about – and access to contraceptives.

As adolescent pregnancies are a global challenge and complications related to pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for girls aged between 15 and 19 years old, we must urgently address the gap in education and information related to SRHR that is missing.

Adolescent childbearing may also interrupt school attendance and impair young women’s long-term social and economic mobility and, therefore as a result, their empowerment. Adolescent pregnancy is also recognised as both a driver and a consequence of child, early and forced marriage (CEFM).

Denying people the access to basic information and education about sexual and reproductive health, has serious long-term consequences and will only result in further inequality, disempowerment and discriminatory norms and attitudes, particularly towards women and girls. If we want to commit to empowering all women and girls, adolescents and youth, realize their right to education and end discrimination, we must ensure that we can all access the basic evidence-based information and education that we need to live healthy lives.

And this includes Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE).

We therefore urge you to recognize that the provision of comprehensive sexuality education, is integral to realizing gender equality and sustainable development, as well as to improving the health, safety and the attainment of rights for all.

By recognising that CSE is a critical component of the empowerment of all, decision-makers here today can shift negative attitudes and social norms that keep all women and girls back from living the lives they want, create opportunities for all women and girls to stay in school and ensure that their human rights can be upheld and realized.

Thank you.