The Importance of Sex Education to End HIV and AIDS

Sex education was once considered "taboo." HIV advocates have been fighting to make sex education one of the more important weapons in ending HIV and AIDS.

Sex education is important for people who are at high risk. This definition changes over time and in different geographical regions. By providing information about safe sex and access to health and legal facilities, those at risk can make better decisions on how they can actively restrain the spread of HIV and AIDS in their community.


It’s also important for those living with HIV to know how to live a positive life without passing on the virus to anyone else. Sex education allows them to learn how to protect themselves from being infected with a different strain of the virus and how to live a better, more productive life with information on health and legal support.
Sex education is also crucial for young people, especially those who are considered at risk. Many policies around the globe and social norms make it difficult for youth to learn how to practice safe sex, causing the risk of contracting HIV and other STIs to increase.

Of no lesser importance would be sex education for those people not considered "at risk", such as the elderly. In fact, increasing sex education amongst the general population will help raise awareness and confront stigma and discrimination head on.

Sex education makes it possible to end HIV and AIDS within our lifetime. One great example is how the once-booming South African coffin-making business (which served as a HIV spread benchmark) is now declining with the investment in sex education and life-saving treatments.

Knowledge is power, and with greater power comes greater responsibility to connect, vocalise and emphasise. Save lives by speaking out. What sex education resources do you know and love? Let us know in a comment or tweet!

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