Empowering Thai youth nationwide with knowledge and skills on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) through I-Design 2025, a comprehensive and effective sexuality education manual.
UNFPA Thailand, in collaboration with the Department of Children and Youth (MSDHS), the Thai Youth Council (central and regional), and Raks Thai Foundation, has joined forces to launch the I-Design 2025 curriculum. This revised comprehensive sexuality education manual now includes important new content on gender identity, human rights for youth, and sexually transmitted infections. The manual is an updated version from 2017, developed to support the Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Resolution Act B.E. 2559 (2016), and emphasizes the right of youth, especially vulnerable and at-risk groups, to access sexual health information and services.
Ms. Siriluck Chiengwong, Head of UNFPA Thailand, highlighted on the manual's development, stating, "The I-Design 2025 manual is the result of collaborative content development and review by youth leaders from the Chiang Mai Provincial Youth Council, Raks Thai Foundation, Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), and UNFPA Thailand, with support from the Empowering our Youth Project. We intend for this manual to be lively and adaptable, allowing it to be continuously adjusted and developed by its users. If youth leaders have additional recommendations from their practical use, the team is ready to continuously update and develop the content to keep pace with the target group and changing situations."
The launch event for the I-Design 2025 curriculum was a lively affair, with over 100 teenagers and youth from the Thai Youth Council network nationwide in attendance, alongside representatives from public health and education agencies, including the Department of Health, Department of Learning Promotion, Office of Basic Education Commission, and the Health Department of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The event featured a presentation of the I-Design 2025 curriculum through engaging activities and a panel discussion on "Sex is Talkable: The Importance of Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Thailand and Ways to Scale Up." The discussion was led by a representative from the Thai Youth Council and included panelists from Raks Thai Foundation, UNESCO, the Thai Youth Council's Strategy and Planning Division, and the Path2Health Foundation, who shared their comprehensive perspectives and practical approaches.
Photo credited: มูลนิธิรักษ์ไทย โครงการสุขภาพภาคเหนือ