HERA opposes the removal of sex education: It is a protective mechanism for children

The HERA Association has reacted to a statement by Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska regarding the removal of the elective subject “Sex Education” from secondary schools.

According to the organization, removing this subject and the corresponding program from secondary education risks leaving young people without an important tool for understanding and preventing the dangers they may face.

HERA emphasizes that sex education does not pose a threat to children. On the contrary, it helps them understand the importance of consent, establish personal boundaries, recognize abuse, build healthy relationships and seek support in case of danger.

Data cited by the organization show that around 10% of children aged 12 to 17 in North Macedonia, or approximately 12,000 children, have experienced sexual exploitation and abuse through technology within a single year.

HERA also highlights other figures: 8% of children have seen sexual images, 5% have received unsolicited requests for intimate photos or videos, while 4% have been threatened with the publication of intimate material.

In 78% of cases, the abuser was someone known to the child. Meanwhile, more than half of the sexual exploitation cases were carried out through social media.

The organization considers it particularly alarming that only 19% of the children surveyed said they had received some form of sex education.

According to data on sexual and reproductive health, 588 children were born in 2024 to mothers aged 15 to 19. In addition, 11 new cases of HIV were recorded in just one month.

HERA stresses that sex education is a protective measure and refers to the international “Disrupting Harm” study conducted by UNICEF, INTERPOL and ECPAT International. The study recommends that school programs include age-appropriate education on relationships, boundaries and consent.

“Why remove precisely the tool that is supposed to protect children?” HERA asks.

The organization addresses the institutions with concern that, at a time when children face violence, abuse, blackmail and online disinformation every day, the very tool that should help them recognize and avoid these risks is being removed.

According to HERA, removing sex education does not eliminate the risks that exist in society and online. “Children do not need less education, but more knowledge, more prevention and more protection,” the organization states.