UN publication's goal to help form sex ed programs

The revised edition of the International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education provides meaningful reference at a time when pregnancy and childbirth complications are the second leading cause of death among teens 15 to 19 years old, experts said.

The fully updated publication was released on Wednesday in Paris by UNESCO, nearly 10 years after its first edition, to advocate quality comprehensive sexuality education as a way to promote health and well-being, respect for human rights and gender equality.

The guidance was produced in collaboration with UNAIDS, UN Population Fund, UN Children's Fund, UN Women, and the World Health Organization based on the latest scientific evidence.