World Sexual Health Day will be celebrated on 4 September 2022.

Background Information:

Sex: Sex refers to the biological characteristics that define humans as female or male. While these sets of biological characteristics are not mutually exclusive, as there are individuals who possess both, they tend to differentiate humans as males and females.

Sexuality: a central aspect of being human throughout life encompasses sex, gender identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy and reproduction. Sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviours, practices, roles and relationships. While sexuality can include all of these dimensions, not all of them are always experienced or expressed. Sexuality is influenced by the interaction of biological, psychological, social, economic, political, cultural, legal, historical, religious and spiritual factors.

Sexual Health: a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled.

Sexual Rights: The application of existing human rights to sexuality and sexual health constitute sexual rights. Sexual rights protect all people’s rights to fulfil and express their sexuality and enjoy sexual health, with due regard for the rights of others and within a framework of protection against discrimination.

Rights critical to the realization of sexual health include:

• the rights to equality and non-discrimination
• the right to be free from torture or to cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment
• the right to privacy
• the rights to the highest attainable standard of health (including sexual health) and social security
• the right to marry and to found a family and enter into marriage with the free and full consent of the intending spouses, and to equality in and at the dissolution of marriage
• the right to decide the number and spacing of one’s children
• the rights to information, as well as education
• the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, and
• the right to an effective remedy for violations of fundamental rights.

The responsible exercise of human rights requires that all persons respect the rights of others.

Key Messages:

Sexual health, when viewed affirmatively, requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. The ability of men and women to achieve sexual health and well-being depends on their:

• access to comprehensive, good-quality information about sex and sexuality;
• knowledge about the risks they may face and their vulnerability to adverse consequences of unprotected sexual activity;
• ability to access sexual health care;
• living in an environment that affirms and promotes sexual health.

Sexual health-related issues are wide-ranging, and encompass sexual orientation and gender identity, sexual expression, relationships, and pleasure. They also include negative consequences or conditions such as:

• infections with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and their adverse outcomes (such as cancer and infertility);
• unintended pregnancy and abortion;
• sexual dysfunction;
• sexual violence; and
• harmful practices (such as female genital mutilation, FGM).

When viewed holistically and positively:

• Sexual health is about well-being, not merely the absence of disease.
• Sexual health involves respect, safety and freedom from discrimination and violence.
• Sexual health depends on the fulfilment of certain human rights.
• Sexual health is relevant throughout the individual’s lifespan, not only to those in the reproductive years, but also to both the young and the elderly.
• Sexual health is expressed through diverse sexualities and forms of sexual expression.
• Sexual health is critically influenced by gender norms, roles, expectations and power dynamics.

Sexual health needs to be understood within specific social, economic and political contexts.

Useful Link:

Link to related WHO news release:

https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2022/09/04/default-calendar/world-sexual-health-day