Young people are sexual beings and have the right to a happy, healthy sex life. However they are not a homogenous group.
Differences in age, sex, experience, marital status, interests and preferences, family background, income and religion can mean that adolescents can be worlds apart in terms of what they need and want.
IPPF recognizes this diversity, treating young people as individuals with varying needs and life choices.
That’s why youth participation is crucial to our work. Because young people are involved in the development and the day to day running of our programmes we know we are reflecting their interests.
IPPF is known for its work with young people. It has been one of our greatest strengths for decades, but we are not complacent.
We are constantly developing new strategies and programmes which respond to the changing realities of young people’s lives.
Our new generation of programmes focuses on the needs of vulnerable and hard-to-reach youth such as:
- those living with HIV/AIDS
- gay and lesbian adolescents
- young people living with disabilities
- survivors of sexual violence
- young offenders
all of whom may feel excluded from traditional services.
Education for life
The mainstay of our work remains comprehensive rights-based sexuality education.
We recognize that sexuality education is a complex task, which involves being honest and acknowledging the pleasures of sex as well as its risks.
The goal of our comprehensive sexuality education programmes is to use modern, accurate information to help young people develop the skills and confidence to protect themselves against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
We also support them in dealing with the wider social issues - such as peer pressure - and empower them to make choices that are right for them.
Our aim is straightforward - to help young people to have safe, happy and fulfilling sexual relationships throughout their lives.