On November 19-20, 2020, the Conference ‘Implementing comprehensive sexuality education and gender equality principles: prospects of Ukraine in the 21st century’ was held with international participation, during which the role of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in the development of key youth competencies in health, security and social welfare was discussed.

Also presented were the results of the study ‘Awareness and attitudes of teachers towards comprehensive sexuality education’, conducted with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine by CEDOS Analytical Center in partnership with Info Sapiens Research Agency commissioned by UNFPA.

Sexuality education is a process and result of acquiring knowledge and cultural values related to sexual health and development and sexual relations. This process ensures the transfer of scientific, real and objective information and allows to comprehend own values, guiding principles and views, as well as to acquire decision-making, dialogue skills and skills related to reduction of risks associated with many aspects of sexual life.

“An open dialogue between adults and children is one of the important tools that can be used to anticipate and protect a child from unwanted information. We need to understand and take responsibility for the future of the younger generation – not to postpone important topics for discussion”, said Oksana Savytska, head of the expert group on preschool education of the Ministry of Education and Science.

The survey results show that there are still barriers to the implementation of CSE, including stereotypes and myths about its content, lack of awareness of global research, which proves its effectiveness.

“Comprehensive sexuality education is a crossroads where education and health care meet. It provides children and adolescents with knowledge and skills that will enable them to exercise their health and rights, helps them make life decisions about their sexual and reproductive health, develops relationships based on respect, and helps them be responsible for their own well-being and the well-being of others. This Conference launched a very important process of comprehensive development of young Ukrainian men and women, their physical and emotional well-being, such important skills as critical thinking, communication, self-development, self-confidence and decision-making, ability to be responsible and empathetic. These skills are especially important today for combating misinformation to which young people are exposed. Today, we all need to show commitment and leadership to support the need for comprehensive sexuality education in Ukraine”, said Jaime Nadal, UNFPA Representative to Ukraine.

Most parents and teachers were positive about informal comprehensive sexuality education in the family and in extracurricular activities. The family in which the child is brought up should provide sexuality education – this position was supported by 89% of parents and 92% of teachers. At the same time, significantly fewer mothers and fathers (48%) were positive about their children’s participation in the relevant informal activities outside of school, such as trainings, lectures, online courses.

According to the survey, formal comprehensive sexuality education (in schools) is supported by the majority. Almost 84% of parents and teachers believe that sexuality education should be provided in schools. These data are supported by the fact that parents are not confident in their knowledge and are not always ready to discuss it with their children.

At the same time, teachers were mostly positive about their readiness to implement sexuality education in schools – about 40% are confident in their knowledge. However, the situation with readiness was somewhat different in the survey and in focus group discussions – some of them conveyed stereotypes and myths. In particular, 62% of teachers surveyed believe that girls that wear short clothes and make-up encourage boys to actively flirt; that abortion should be banned in Ukraine – 33%; that non-heterosexual orientation requires treatment – 36%, and children with HIV should not study with other children – 19%. While 91% of teachers have requests regarding their training, supporting materials and support from the Ministry and other participants in the educational process.

The survey results also showed that parents could take on one of the leading roles in sexuality education of their children; they need training, advice from experts, information materials.

Large-scale systemic change is needed to ensure the development of formal sexuality education and provision of support to teachers. In particular, this applies to the recognition of CSE: introduction of this concept in the educational environment, provision of assistance to teachers with materials for relevant classes and addition of topics in accordance with international recommendations.

The survey was conducted in December 2019 - June 2020 and covered the entire country, except for the temporarily occupied territories.