Online event: Empowering girls and women through comprehensive sex education

International NGO Plan International is organizing an online event on International Women’s Day, titled “Thinking about Sex Education with Shiorinu – Respecting Each Other- How to Build a Relationship?” The event is planned for March 8th, 2023, aiming to promote the importance of comprehensive sex education and its role in empowering girls and women.

In recent years, the need for comprehensive sex education, which covers a wide range of topics such as human relationships, sexual diversity, gender equality, and happiness, in addition to the mechanics of the body and reproduction, has become increasingly recognized. According to a survey conducted by the Plan Youth Group in 2021, around 30% of the youth in Japan feel that the current sex education provided in schools is insufficient. This highlights the importance of comprehensive sex education that teaches a wide range of topics, including human rights, gender, and human relationships.

The event featured Shiorinu, a midwife and sex education YouTuber, who has extensive knowledge and experience in the field of sex education. She spoke about the importance of comprehensive sex education, its role in protecting teenage girls from unplanned pregnancies, births, and gender-based violence, and how it can help increase their self-esteem and confidence, enabling them to lead a fulfilling life. 

The event will be conducted through a Zoom webinar, open for 500 participants on a first-come-first-served basis. The event will be free of charge, and interested participants can apply through Plan International’s website. Registrations will close just before the start of the event.