Peer-reviewed article

Realisation of Children’s Rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to, in, and through Sexuality Education

Ashling Bourke, Benjamin Mallon, Catherine Maunsell · 6 Jun 2022

Abstract

Abstract Through the framework of the Convention of the Rights of the Child (uncrc), this paper argues that quality sexuality education is fundamental to the realisation of rights for children and young people, particularly those related to their identity, sexual lives and relationships. Beyond the right to education itself and sexual health, sexuality education supports the realisation of a wide range of children’s rights including wellbeing, protection, participation, identity and equality. The paper argues for the specific ways in which quality sex education supports the realisation of such rights and argues for the universal need for such education to be participative to allow children and young people to make empowered decisions about their sexuality and relationships with others.