For centuries, Cambodian society has viewed discussions of sex and sexuality as taboo, particularly within schools and communities. 

The deeply rooted traditional norms have long kept matters of sexual and reproductive health off the public discourse table. 

Parents and elders avoided conversations on these subjects, believing that silence would preserve innocence and morality among the youth. 

However, this mindset has begun to shift, particularly with the rise of Generation Z, who are actively challenging societal taboos and demanding a more informed and open discussion around sexual health and rights.

In the "peer-to-peer" education programme, 20-year-old Lek Karry from Ratanakkiri province became one of the three goodwill ambassadors for Plan International Cambodia (PIC).

"I became a child member of PIC. Recognising that I am an active and courageous member, I was given the opportunity to receive training and attend seminars in Phnom Penh. Now, I am able to volunteer alongside senior members," she said.

The organisation has also launched a project offering classes on sexual and reproductive health for young people aged 12 to 24, run by volunteers like Karry.

She is an indigenous young woman who overcame her parents' traditional pressure to marry early to pursue her studies.

She was motivated by the issues in her family, like her mother's lack of financial control and her parents' inability to resolve conflicts due to limited education.

Determined to change her life, Karry continued her education despite hardships, such as walking long distances and going without food.

"In my district [Ta Veng], my group visited all 20 villages across two communes to conduct youth education on reproductive health issues," she told The Post.

Green Lady Cambodia, a youth-led advocacy group, exemplifies this shift by pushing for more open discussions on issues like menstrual health and gender-based violence. 

These young advocates have brought to light the importance of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in addressing the unmet needs of Cambodia’s youth, particularly in rural areas where misconceptions about sexual health are still rampant.  

Green Lady founder Hok Sovanvotey launched the group to provide reusable menstrual products that are hygienic, eco-friendly and cost-effective. 

“It benefits both your health and your bank balance, especially for people with allergies, like me, or those who want to change their habits and protect the environment,” she told The Post. 

“Sanitary pads are not designed to be worn for more than three or four hours, but ours can be worn for longer. They are better for vaginal health too,” said the 29-year-old.

Collaborating with the UN Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) and other organisations, Sovanvotey dreams of incorporating this skill into the state curriculum.

In recent years, CSE has made inroads into Cambodian schools and communities, signaling a pivotal shift in both educational policy and societal attitudes. 

The introduction of CSE represents an important step in addressing public health concerns, reducing teenage pregnancies and preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young people. 

According to UNAIDS’s 2024 global AIDS report, from 2010 to 2024, new HIV infections have been steadily decreasing over the years while AIDS-related deaths have also seen a significant decline, reflecting improvements in treatment and access to healthcare services.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, UNFPA launched the Youth Health Mobile App in 2023 to provide adolescents with easy access to sexual and reproductive health information. 

The app, which reached over 324,000 downloads on Android alone, is based on the national CSE curriculum, which has been incorporated into the school system from grades 5 to 12. 

It covers a wide range of topics including gender equality, mental health and links to psychosocial support.

The education ministry’s response

Recognising the need for change, the ministry has taken steps to integrate CSE into the national school curriculum. 

According to the Curriculum Framework for General Knowledge and Technical Education issued by the ministry in 2015, health education is a field that focuses on the causes of illness, prevention and primary health care in all its aspects, with an emphasis on fundamental rights and gender equality.

Health education covers primary health care, mental health, reproductive and sexual health, environmental health, health beliefs, health economics, scientific literacy, disease prevention, first aid and the promotion of values and behaviours that support a healthy mind and body, encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their actions.

"The education ministry has introduced a reproductive health curriculum through which students learn about body development, the reproductive system, health care practices to prevent infections and pregnancies, morality, mutual respect, respect for the law and avoiding physical abuse," ministry spokeswoman Khuon Vicheka told The Post.

She further stated that general health and reproductive health topics, including sexual safety, have been incorporated into the curriculum starting in the first grade.

Sex education across ASEAN: A regional perspective

Cambodia is not alone in grappling with the challenges of integrating CSE into schools. 

Across the ASEAN region, countries are facing similar obstacles in breaking down cultural taboos and providing young people with the tools they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health.

In the Philippines, for example, a 35 per cent increase in teenage pregnancies between 2021 and 2022 has sparked calls for more comprehensive sex education both at home and in schools, according to Save the Children. 

The media outlet Antara reported that Indonesia faces ongoing stigma and misconceptions surrounding sex education, with many advocating for enhanced CSE to help adolescents make responsible decisions.

Thailand, on the other hand, has made significant strides by revising its health and physical education curriculum to include topics such as gender equality and sexual orientation, though challenges remain in addressing issues like contraception and sexual consent. 

Vietnam and Laos are also working to expand CSE, particularly in rural and ethnic minority communities where access to information is limited.

The impact of CSE

The benefits of CSE are clear. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it equips young people with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values needed to protect their health and make responsible choices about their sexual and reproductive lives. 

“Research shows that CSE leads to delayed sexual activity, safer sex practices and reduced risks of violence and abuse,” said WHO. “Moreover, it fosters respect, consent and bodily autonomy, helping young people build healthy relationships and understand the rights of others.”

By teaching young people about contraception, consent and sexual health, CSE helps to reduce the rates of unintended pregnancies and prevent the spread of STIs, including HIV.