Press Release: Provide Comprehensive Sexuality Education in All Schools

PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE SEXUALITY EDUCATION IN ALL SCHOOLS

August 8, 2025

 

Increased reports of sexual violence against children have drawn attention to the danger young people live in. They are preyed upon by men who take advantage of their vulnerability, the failure of the education system to apprise them of the predation of adults, and the ineffectiveness of the legal and judicial systems. The stagnation of women’s rights, resulting from the disinterest of the Government of The Bahamas, has far-reaching effects for everyone, including children. 

“The Government of The Bahamas is well-aware of its obligations to promote, uphold, and expand access to human rights for everyone, and this is demonstrated by its performance in international spaces. It is only when these duty-bearers are at home, facing us, the Bahamian people, that they show their complete disregard for women and girls and our wellbeing,” said Equality Bahamas Director Alicia Wallace. “We reiterate our demand for the gender-based violence bill and the national gender policy to be appropriately updated, passed, and implemented.”

As a matter of priority, Equality Bahamas calls on the government to develop comprehensive sexuality education for all ages, immediately integrating it into the national curriculum. “The sexual predation of men and resulting violence against girls is supported by the continued refusal to educate children on sex, ensuring that they understand their bodies, consent, pleasure, the difference between sex and rape, contraceptive options, health services, the law,” said Ms. Wallace. “It is the responsibility of the government—along with parents and guardians, educators, and advocates—to ensure that children are equipped with the information they need to assess situations, make the best possible decisions for themselves, and seek support from people they can trust.”

Women’s rights and children’s rights extend beyond laws and policies. The exercise of rights requires knowledge of rights, supported by access to resources and services. Comprehensive sexuality education is critical to reducing sexual violence. Equality Bahamas calls on the public, incensed by the rape of children, to demand that the government end its culpability in gender-based violence against women and children and make comprehensive sexuality education available to all school-age children.

Equality Bahamas is a feminist organization that promotes women’s and LGBTQI+ people’s rights as human rights through advocacy, public education, and community engagement.