Feb 2026
The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong
Position and Recommendations on Comprehensive Sexuality Education
Foreword
The recent discussion about sexuality education materials highlights significant public concern regarding sexuality education in Hong Kong. There is a consensus that in today’s era of rapid advancements in information technology and social media, coupled with the proliferation of sexually explicit information, sexuality education must be enhanced to meet the needs of young people. Now is the most opportune time to discuss, review, revise, and update Hong Kong’s sexuality education policies and guidelines.
The Family Planning Association is a leading non-governmental organization in Hong Kong that promotes comprehensive sexuality education (CSE). It is dedicated to helping children and adolescents develop healthy personalities, maintain harmonious interpersonal relationships, and enhance their sexual and reproductive health. At the same time, we aim to empower individuals with the ability to make informed choices and to achieve sexual health. Through three key areas, namely, frontline services, sexuality education training, and resource development, we continue to support schools, families, and communities in implementing comprehensive sexuality education. We believe that sexuality is closely connected to life, and comprehensive sexuality education is an essential part of holistic education. Its purpose is to provide individuals with reliable sex knowledge, support them in developing healthy and responsible sexual attitudes, and thereby foster independent thinking and life skills. This empowers individuals to make informed and responsible choices for their own lives.
Practice Principles of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)
- Comprehensiveness: Activities and teaching materials should encompass “values and attitudes”, “life skills and social skills”, as well as “knowledge and understanding”. Together, these elements support individuals in developing the capacity to make informed choices and wise decisions for themselves.
- Relevance: Teaching and learning methods should be responsive to contemporary contexts, taking into account the age, needs, and interests of diverse learners. They should be learner-centered, enabling active participation in the educational process and the construction of knowledge about sexuality that is meaningful to personal experiences.
- Inclusiveness: Teaching should encompass a broad range of topics and address the needs of diverse service recipients, such as sexual and gender minority youth, individuals with intellectual or physical disabilities, and ethnic minorities. It should recognize the uniqueness of each group, respecting differences and varied social cultures.
The current implementation of Sexuality Education in Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, sexuality education has not yet become an independent curriculum. Instead, it is incorporated into subjects such as Values Education, Citizenship, Economics and Society. From an implementation perspective, the methods, content, and effectiveness of sexuality education in schools vary considerably.
According to the Equal Opportunities Commission's “A Study on Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Secondary Schools of Hong Kong” (2022), sexuality education in Hong Kong remains generally inadequate. with insufficient class time, limited professional training for teachers, and heavy reliance on external organizations such as NGOs to deliver sexuality education. Schools also express a strong need for resources and teaching materials across various media.
Our Association’s report on “Youth Sexuality Study 2021” (2023) indicates that while young people show strong interest in topics such as dating and romance, puberty, safer sex, prevention and handling of sexual harassment, and sexual orientation, their overall level of sexual knowledge remains less than ideal.
Recommendations for the development of sexuality education in Hong Kong: Comprehensive Sexuality Education Guidelines
The Association believes that Hong Kong society requires an updated and comprehensive set of guidelines for sexuality education. Such education should go beyond the transmission of knowledge to emphasize the cultivation of healthy attitudes, values, and life skills, including critical thinking, decision‑making, communication, conflict resolution, and self‑management, so that young people are empowered to make informed and responsible choices for themselves.
Comprehensive sexuality education should encompass a wide range of topics, including dating, intimate relationships, safer sex practices, sexual message in the media, cyberbullying, gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender-based violence. It should be tailored to the needs, interests, and emotional development of young people, delivered in a non-stigmatizing and youth-centered manner. In doing so, it equipes learners with essential skills, fosters healthy relationships and holistic values, nurtures self-love and respect for others, cultivates a sense of responsibility, and strengthens their understanding of boundaries in interpersonal relationships.
In January 2018, UNESCO released the “International technical guidance on sexuality education: an evidence-informed approach” of its 2009 document. This revision reflects global advancements in youth sexuality education over the past decade. It highlights eight key learning concepts and outlines age‑appropriate topics, with a strong emphasis on developing attitudes, skills, and knowledge. The guidance serves as a comprehensive framework for designing effective sexuality education curricula.
The Association recommends that the government allocates additional resources and, drawing on the core conceptual framework of this guideline, supports the Hong Kong Education Bureau to convene a working group composed of relevant service providers, academic institutions, and stakeholders, including youth, parents, ethnic minorities, and gender minorities. This group would jointly develop a comprehensive sexuality education technical guidance framework tailored to local culture and school curricula. Such a framework would enable more systematic planning and implementation of sexuality education in Hong Kong, covering curriculum design, teaching material development, teacher training, assessment, and policy support.
As a stakeholder committed to advancing comprehensive sexuality education in Hong Kong, the Association is prepared to engage in dialogue and collaboration with the Hong Kong Education Bureau and various sectors of society. Together, we aim to develop comprehensive sexuality education guidelines that contribute meaningfully to the well-being of young people.
References:
- UNESCO (2018). International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education: An Evidence‑Informed Approach (Revised Edition). Retrieved on August 28, 2024, retrieved from: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000260770
- Equal Opportunities Commission (2022). A Study on Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Secondary Schools of Hong Kong. Retrieved on August 28, 2024, from: https://www.eoc.org.hk/compass/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/SexEduReport-Full-Report-EN.pdf
- The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong (2023). Youth Sexuality Study 2021 Report. Hong Kong: The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong.