Forging History:

Exploring the multi-level impacts of a youth-led comprehensive sexuality education model in Madagascar using Human-centered Design methods

“…In current scholarship and discourse in global CSE, experts state that CSE programming has a far-reaching impact much beyond individual level sexual health knowledge and behavior change [ 42 ]. Rollston argues, “While most people still believe sex education is just about sex, in reality it is so much more than that” [ 43 ]. For example, in a project called “Storymap” in the Netherlands, the creators aim to show the full impact that sex education programs have on communities and highlights the breadth of health indicators that are impacted by CSE [ 43 ].…”

“…Rollston argues, “While most people still believe sex education is just about sex, in reality it is so much more than that” [ 43 ]. For example, in a project called “Storymap” in the Netherlands, the creators aim to show the full impact that sex education programs have on communities and highlights the breadth of health indicators that are impacted by CSE [ 43 ]. Similarly, scholarship by Venwesenbeeck also suggests that CSE has wider positive impacts beyond individual students, including teacher-student relationships in the classroom, parent-child communication, and community norms; we witnessed similar findings in our Madagascar investigation [ 15 ].…”

“…Furthermore, the Madagascar CSE program demonstrated perceived impacts on community issues, such as domestic violence and abuse, for which the CSE educators serve as a resource. Other studies also state that sex education can guide students in developing healthy self-identifies, and respectful relationships [ 43 ], which can help them to confront topics such as gender-based violence and intimate partner violence [ 46 ]. CSE programs teach that bullying is wrong and how to respond, but also get at the deep-rooted causes of bullying and violence, which are often linked to low-self-esteem [ 43 ].…”

“…Other studies also state that sex education can guide students in developing healthy self-identifies, and respectful relationships [ 43 ], which can help them to confront topics such as gender-based violence and intimate partner violence [ 46 ]. CSE programs teach that bullying is wrong and how to respond, but also get at the deep-rooted causes of bullying and violence, which are often linked to low-self-esteem [ 43 ]. By increasing self-esteem and confidence among students, CSE programming can help to decrease risk for students to bully and reduce conflict and violence at schools and in communities [ 47 ].…”