Why is sex education not mandatory across Europe?

Sexuality education can play a central role in equipping young people with the necessary tools to further enjoy their sexuality and ultimately their human rights. Education about sexual and reproductive health and rights, more commonly shortened to sex-ed, should also help young people to navigate their development, feelings and relationships. In Europe, sex ed is mandatory in nearly every country, but in others - like Italy - it is still left out of school programmes. Even when included, sex ed can differ significantly in terms of the content and at what age it is provided, which leaves many young people without the necessary information and skills. In addition, we have recently witnessed a rise of opposition against sex ed in Europe, led by far-right movements and anti-gender groups. So what is the current status of sexual education in schools in Europe? Are there other ways to learn about sexuality? And how can we deal with this backlash?

In this last episode of the third season of Europe Talks Back, host Gail Rego, Florina-Marieta Neagu, an expert on European youth activism, who works at AEGEE / European Students'​ Forum and Isabella Borelli, an Italian transfeminist activist promoting the introduction of sexuality- and emotional- education in Italian schools.

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