The Cost of Silence: Why Talking About Sex Is a Matter of Public Health and Human Rights

From sex education to condoms, from migrants to adolescents: why information can prevent disease, violence and discrimination around the world

Far too often, talking about sexuality is still considered taboo. It is discussed in hushed tones, with embarrassment, as though it were something inappropriate rather than a fundamental dimension of the human experience. Yet sexuality concerns health, emotional well-being, personal freedom, disease prevention, human rights, gender equality and even the social and economic development of nations.

Personally, I find it remarkable that in 2026 people can spend hours discussing international politics, artificial intelligence or economic crises without any discomfort, while words such as condom, contraception or sexually transmitted infections can still make many people uneasy. This silence, however, comes at a very real cost. Every day, millions of men and women around the world face unintended pregnancies, preventable diseases, discrimination, sexual violence and profound psychological suffering that could be reduced through proper information and education.

Sexuality is not a marginal aspect of human life; it is an essential part of it. Ignoring it does not protect people. It simply leaves entire generations without the tools they need to understand their bodies, build healthy relationships and make informed, responsible and safe choices.

When discussing sexual health, people often make the mistake of reducing the concept to the mere absence of disease. In reality, sexual health is much broader. The World Health Organization defines it as a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexuality. This means that a person enjoys good sexual health when they can experience their emotional and relational life free from coercion, discrimination and violence, while having full access to the information and healthcare services they need.

It means understanding one's own body, knowing how reproduction works, learning how to prevent infections, accessing appropriate healthcare and developing relationships based on mutual respect. Sexual health therefore concerns not only medicine, but also education, psychology, law, sociology and the protection of fundamental rights. It is a concept that embraces the whole person and recognizes that sexual well-being is an integral part of overall well-being.

In this context, sex education plays a crucial role. Numerous international studies show that comprehensive sexuality education programs are among the most effective tools for improving public health. Contrary to what some ideological movements claim, teaching young people about their bodies does not encourage early sexual activity. On the contrary, it makes them more cautious, more aware and better equipped to make responsible decisions.

An informed teenager understands risks more clearly, knows prevention methods, is more likely to recognize abusive situations and develops a stronger capacity to respect both themselves and others. Sex education does not teach people how to have sex; it teaches them how to protect their health, understand consent, manage emotions and build healthy relationships.

In an era where much information is sought through social media—often through superficial, misleading or entirely false content—the role of schools and healthcare institutions becomes even more important.

Looking around the world, it becomes clear that the level of sex education directly influences people's quality of life. In Northern Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Finland, sexuality education is an integral part of school curricula. Children gradually learn about bodily autonomy, consent, disease prevention and the value of healthy relationships. It is therefore no surprise that these countries generally report lower rates of teenage pregnancy and higher levels of sexual health awareness.

In other parts of Europe, however, the topic remains trapped in cultural and political disputes. As a result, we witness the paradox of technologically advanced societies that still struggle to discuss sexuality openly in schools, leaving many young people to learn through the internet, online pornography or unreliable sources.

Across Africa, sexual health remains both a major challenge and one of the most important frontiers of public health progress. HIV/AIDS has profoundly shaped the recent history of many African countries, claiming millions of lives and devastating entire communities. Over recent decades, awareness campaigns, educational programs, condom distribution initiatives and access to antiretroviral therapies have produced remarkable achievements. Yet significant challenges remain.

In many regions, girls are still forced into early marriages, have limited access to education and face enormous obstacles in obtaining information about reproductive health. Under such circumstances, the risks of sexually transmitted infections, adolescent pregnancies and maternal mortality remain high. In many ways, the fight for sexual health in Africa is inseparable from the struggle for women's rights, education and social empowerment.

Asia presents an equally diverse picture. Countries such as Japan, South Korea and Singapore have highly advanced healthcare systems, yet cultural reluctance to discuss sexuality openly sometimes persists. In other parts of the continent, the situation is even more complex. Millions of young people grow up with fragmented or nonexistent information about sexual health.

Restrictions on girls' education, such as those currently seen in Afghanistan, inevitably affect their ability to understand their bodies and protect their health. When access to education is restricted, access to prevention is restricted as well—and where prevention is lacking, vulnerability inevitably increases.