Swedish Minister Mr Gustav Fridolin key person in launch of new global sexuality education programme

Sexuality education and reproductive health on the agenda when Swedish Minister for Education participates in launch of UNESCO’s new handbook for sexuality education during visit to South Africa and Zambia on 12–16 January.

Sweden has been active in the work to produce the handbook, which is part of Sweden’s efforts for qualitative and gender-equal sexuality education globally. The handbook will contribute to strengthened and improved sexuality education, and is based on scientific studies and the efforts of the working group which included prominent roles for RFSU and Sida.

During the visit, emphasis will also be placed on the regional launch of the Swedish-funded UNESCO initiative ‘Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future’, which aims to provide more young people in southern Africa with access to qualitative sexuality education. Mr Fridolin will be keynote speaker at this event.

During the visit he will meet representatives of the South African Ministry of Basic Education, government agencies from Ghana, Swaziland, Côte d’Ivoire and Namibia, as well as youth organisations and civil society.

“All young people, regardless of gender, are entitled to good and unprejudiced knowledge about sexuality and reproductive health. Education in this area leads to increased awareness and gender equality, and therefore means an investment in development and democracy. This is an example of feminist foreign policy in practice,” says Mr Fridolin.

During his visit in Zambia, Mr Fridolin will meet government representatives as well as members of civil society. For the full schedule, see http://www.unesco.se/visit-to-zambia-and-south-africa-by-minister-for-education-mr-gustav-fridolin-12-16-january-2018eng/.

Contact

Ms Hanna Hessling, press secretary for Minister for Education Gustav Fridolin, +4672-557 38 01
hanna.hessling@government.se