The fifty-sixth session of the Commission on Population and Development concluded in April, leaving delegates unable to reach a consensus on a draft resolution concerning the agenda item on population, education, and sustainable development. The focus of contention was the reference to comprehensive sexual education within the draft resolution. While some delegates, Sweden, Ghana and Papua New Guinea to name a few, emphasized the importance of comprehensive sexual and reproductive education in empowering women and youth. “Iran’s delegate said terms such as sexual and reproductive education are not acceptable to her country, while Nigeria’s delegate expressed concern about the deletion of language regarding the parents’ responsibility and right to guide the religious and moral education of their children, as well as other language relating to women’s and girls’ critical contributions to their families and children” (UN, 2023). Meanwhile, other delegates cited the need for basic human necessities such as food and water before the need for comprehensive sexuality education.
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Source: United Nations. (2023). Commission on Population and Development unable to adopt consensus on population, education and sustainable development, amid divisions over comprehensive sexual education. Retrieved from https://press.un.org/en/2023/pop1109.doc.htm