With a rapidly growing population of adolescents and young people in sub-Saharan Africa, there exists a crucial opportunity to harness an unprecedented demographic dividend. However, achieving this potential requires ensuring that young people receive proper education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Significant barriers such as early marriages, unintended pregnancies, HIV infections, and gender-based violence must be addressed to enable a healthier and more empowered generation.
Recognizing these challenges, UNESCO has launched the flagship programme, “Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future” (O3), to provide comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) to adolescents and young people. This initiative aims to equip them with essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes to prevent HIV infections, reduce early and unintended pregnancies, and eliminate gender-based violence. Additionally, the programme emphasizes the importance of creating safe learning environments by addressing violence, including bullying, within and around educational institutions.
The O3 programme operates in collaboration with ministries of education and health across 35 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. By the end of its first phase in July 2023, it had reached approximately 34 million learners through life skills and sexuality education. Beyond the classroom, O3 has extended its impact to an additional 35 million young people, both in and out of school, through media platforms, advocacy, and community mobilization. The initiative engages teachers, religious leaders, parents, and civil society in fostering an inclusive and informed approach to sexuality education.
In addition to the O3 programme, UNESCO has introduced a complementary initiative, O3 Plus, which focuses on higher education institutions. This programme seeks to enhance positive outcomes in education, health, and gender equality by ensuring access to CSE and sexual and reproductive health services for young adults in universities and colleges. By supporting students in higher education, O3 Plus strengthens the foundation for a generation that is informed, empowered, and prepared to contribute positively to society.
The success of O3 and O3 Plus has been made possible through the support of the governments of France, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. These nations have recognized the significance of comprehensive sexuality education in transforming the lives of young people and fostering a future grounded in human rights, equality, and health awareness.
In October 2024, the United Nations Human Rights Council took a significant step forward by adopting resolution 57/10, which marked the beginning of the fifth phase (2025-2029) of the World Programme for Human Rights Education. This phase specifically focuses on children and youth, with an emphasis on three crucial thematic areas: digital technologies and human rights, gender equality, and environmental and climate change education. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2004, the World Programme for Human Rights Education is an ongoing global initiative structured in consecutive phases to enhance the implementation of human rights education across different sectors.
To celebrate the launch of this fifth phase, Human Rights Day 2024 will highlight the importance of human rights education for children and youth. The celebration will consider the three thematic areas prioritized by the Human Rights Council. As part of this initiative, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is organizing a youth dialogue to emphasize the role of young people in human rights education. This dialogue will provide a platform for youth to discuss, advocate, and contribute actively to the promotion of human rights.
The youth dialogue will be facilitated by three young human rights educators who are featured in the multimedia resource, “Changemakers: Stories of Young Human Rights Educators.” This resource, jointly produced by OHCHR, Amnesty International, and Soka Gakkai International, presents the inspirational stories of seven young activists who have used human rights education to create positive change within their communities. These young leaders have demonstrated how knowledge and awareness of human rights can empower individuals to stand against injustice, discrimination, and inequality.
Comprehensive sexuality education is not just an academic subject; it is a fundamental component of a more just and equitable society. By equipping young people with knowledge and skills, O3 and O3 Plus are paving the way for a future where adolescents and youth can make informed choices, protect themselves from harm, and advocate for their rights. As the global community continues to advance human rights education, initiatives like these serve as powerful catalysts for change, ensuring that young people, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to lead healthier, safer, and more empowered lives.
