During SDG Negotiations, the African Group made reservations on Goal 3: “With regard to information and education in the context of sexual and reproductive health services, as referred to under Goal 3 … the African Group does not think that comprehensive sexual education should be included as part of it. First and foremost, parents have the right to choose the type of education to give to their children—a right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which must be respected.”
There are 15 Harmful Elements typically found in Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) curricula viz Promote Homosexuality,
Abortion, Undermines Parental Rights, Cultural and Religious among others.
CSE violates Parental Rights, Cultural and religious values as enshrined in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Article 13 (3)) The States Parties to … undertake to have respect for the liberty of parents and…. to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions; the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 18 (4)) The States Parties to … undertake to have respect for the liberty of parents and, when applicable, legal guardians to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 14 (1)) States Parties shall respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, (Article 14 (2)) States Parties shall respect the rights and duties of the parents and, when applicable, legal guardians, to provide direction to the child in the exercise of his or her right in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child. (Article 29 (1)(c)) The development of respect for the child's parents, his or her own cultural identity, language and values.
CSE
promotes Abortion contrary to the Convention on the Right of the Child (Preamble para 9) ‘‘Bearing in mind that, as
indicated in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, "the child, by
reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and
care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth", Article 6 (1) States
Parties recognize that every child has the inherent right to life. Article
6 (2) States Parties shall ensure to the maximum
extent possible the survival and development of the child; African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (Article
5(1)) Every child has an inherent right
to life. This right shall be protected by law; the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article
(6) 1). Every human being has the
inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be
arbitrarily deprived of his life.
