Integrating Sexual Pleasure for Quality & Inclusive Comprehensive Sexuality Education

The lack of inclusion of sexual pleasure in comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) could be detrimental to sexual development, misses opportunities for inclusive education, and may have a long-term impact on sexual well-being. The WAS’ Declaration on Sexual Pleasure provides the opportunity to advocate for pleasure as an indispensable part of CSE. Specifically, the inclusion of pleasure in CSE will positively impact six outcomes: traditional risk-reduction, cultivating healthy relationships, celebration of sexual diversity, exercise of sexual rights, empowerment, and consent, and prevention of gender-based sexual violence. Messages of sexual pleasure are crucial for sexuality education to be comprehensive, effective, and inclusive.