Snapshot of CSE landscape in Eastern European and Central Asian countries and introduction to SERAT tool

Comprehensive sexuality education when delivered in schools by well-trained teachers consistently over several years following an evidence-based informed curriculum can empower learners to realize their health, well-being and dignity; develop respectful social and sexual relationships; consider how their choices affect their own well-being and that of others; and understand and ensure the protection of their rights throughout their lives. However, too many young people globally including in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are deprived of the right to such education. Some countries like Ukraine, Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan have made elements of sexuality education part of the school curriculum. Other countries have integrated into the curriculum topics related to physical, mental and reproductive health but find it challenging to discuss in the classroom gender, sexuality and relationships because of resistance coming from political and religious circles as well as from parents. To support countries to collect data and analyze the strengths and gaps in their health education programmes, UNESCO has devised an excel-based tool called SERAT (Sexuality Education Review and Assessment Tool). Once data is entered into SERAT, results are presented in bar charts, which are automatically created, to enable immediate analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of a programme. The tool also helps to assess the relevance of a sexuality education programme in relation to the national context and SRH priorities. SERAT is based on the International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education (UNESCO, 2018).