Giving Compass' Take:

· Writing for Global Citizen, Erica Sanchez and Diana Duong explain how sexual education empowers women and can help with achieving gender equality and health for all. 

· How is sexual education being taught throughout the world? Why is it important for sexual education to be taught in schools? 

· Learn how the UN is influencing global sexual education. 

In order to achieve gender equality, girls must be afforded the same opportunities as boys — and that can start with the education of their own bodies and sexuality.

Education and access to information are key in securing girls’ sexual health and in ensuring the health of their children.

When girls are educated, they recognize signs of illness and look for help. In fact, between 1990 and 2009, 2.1 million children under 5 years old were saved thanks to improvements to girls’ education.

And when they receive health education, girls are also less likely to contract HIV.

At the same time, staying in school prevents girls from marrying too young.

Secondary school as a whole is extremely important, as it takes place during the adolescent years, when many girls are at risk of sexual solicitation or violence. Staying in school provides a safe environment for girls — and it also delays marriage.

Read the full article about sexual education by Erica Sanchez and Diana Duong at Global Citizen.