Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Accepted
Paragraph: 74
Embed comprehensive age-appropriate sex education into FCDO ODA-funded education programmes.
Recommendation
Access to SRHR services and comprehensive sex education is vital to adolescents; however, adolescents may often face barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health services. Ensuring that women and girls are fully educated on sexual and reproductive health can empower them and give them the autonomy to make informed decisions in life. Better education among women and girls is also linked to better sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Considering the UK’s commitment to girls’ education, the FCDO should embed comprehensive age-appropriate sex education into its ODA-funded education programmes.
Government Response Summary
The FCDO agrees and states it is already supporting comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) through several programmes, including its Girls’ Education Challenge and the upcoming WISH Dividend programme, which will include CSE where appropriate.
Paragraph Reference:
74
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Agree 70. The FCDO is supporting several programmes that work with governments, civil society and community groups to provide comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) across our girls’ education, health, child marriage and ending violence work. 71. As mentioned in the previous recommendation/conclusion, the FCDO’s flagship girls’ education programme, Girls’ Education Challenge (GEC), has a significant focus on supporting girls to realise their SRHR. The main SRHR intervention is providing CSE, alongside efforts to build girls’ skills and agency, as well as shifting discriminatory norms and behaviours in the community. 72. The WISH Dividend programme will support women and adolescent girls to have increased knowledge, capacity and community support to make informed decisions about, and recognise and advocate for, their sexual and reproductive health and rights. This support will be tailored to local context and needs, and where appropriate will include work to improve access to CSE and in/out of school engagement.