Sexuality has been traditionally considered to belong to the realm of the private, however a multiplicity of studies derived from social, anthropological and historical perspectives, have shown that sexuality is very much a public matter. Since the later part of the XX Century many NGOs and governments have developed sexuality education programmes that recognize the impact of this education in the social and political life of countries as much as in the individual life of people. At the same time, conservative and fundamentalist forces have also envisaged the possibility of controlling people’s minds and behaviour by intervening in the content and methodology of sexuality education and positioning themselves within Education Ministries. This paper will examine the cases of two countries in Central America, where sexuality education textbooks have been challenged and contested by fundamentalist organizations and sectors within the government as well as by the hierarchy of the Catholic Church to the point that they were literally banned and/or edited to conform with a very restricted view of human sexuality. We will contrast and compare with the recent case of Mexico where a similar situation is still underway, but where strong coalitions of comprehensive sexuality education advocates have succeeding in maintaining a rights-based, gender-sensitive approach to human sexuality. The role of rightist governments as well as the functions and responsibilities of NGOs will be analyzed. Lessons learned will be examined and strategies for further action will be presented.
Conflict of Interest: None disclosed
Financial Support/Funding: None disclosed
Sydney, Australia, April 2007
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