Comprehensive Sexuality Education

In 2022, the population of Mozambique was 33 million, with a youth population of about one-fourth. In 2023, the adolescent birth rate was 180 per 1,000 women aged between 15–19 (2023), which is one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the world. Maternal mortality remains high, with figures from 2022 showing 452 deaths per 100,000 live births, especially among adolescents. Mozambique has the second-highest rate of new HIV infections among children globally. More than 4 in 10 young women aged 18–24 years were married or living with a partner before the age of 18 in 2022. 

The government of Mozambique has shown its commitment to addressing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs through the implementation of a number of policies and programmes. And while no formal comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) programme has been developed, the 2020 Elementary School Curriculum Plan and the 2007 General Secondary Education Curricular Plan include components that are relevant to CSE.

The 2018 Law on the National Education System does not include or call for sexuality or health education in school to be included in teaching curricula. However, it mentions that one of the main objectives of the national education system is to promote access to education and the retention of girls, underpinned by the principles of gender equity and equal opportunities for all. 

The 2001 Adolescent Reproductive Sexual Health Policy and Strategy intends to guide the development, coordination and implementation of multisectoral efforts to promote favourable conditions for the SRH of adolescents and young people.  

The Education Strategic Plan 2020-2029 proposes integrating life skills into compulsory curricula. It aims to introduce content related to sexual health and SRH, protection against violence and ensuring the preparation and education of young people through SRH education that is adapted to their ages and specific contexts. 

The 2020 Elementary School Curriculum Plan and the 2007 General Secondary Education Curricular Plan include components that are relevant to CSE. The 2020 Elementary School Curriculum Plan integrates the profile of the Primary Education Graduate, which cover the skills that students are to acquire before they graduate. It mentions specific skills for personal development, which include skills for the protection of health, knowing one’s rights, and responsible behaviour in relation to SRH. A primary objective of the 2007 General Secondary Education Curricular Plan for general secondary education is to educate young people in the prevention and fight against drugs, including smoking and alcoholism, and in the prevention of diseases, particularly malaria, cholera, and HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

According to the 2020 Elementary School Curriculum Plan, the competencies that the primary-school leaver must develop are organized into seven areas: language and communication; scientific, technical and technological knowledge; reasoning and problem-solving; interpersonal relationships; personal development and autonomy; welfare; health and the environment; and aesthetic and artistic sensitivity. In each area, the specific competencies and performance indicators have been defined. Furthermore, the 2020 Elementary School Curriculum Plan details the skills for students to acquire in each area. For example, well-being, health and the environment includes adopting behaviours that promote a healthy lifestyle and well-being (including a balanced diet, physical exercise and responsible sexuality), and developing and showing awareness and environmental and social responsibility for the common good.  

All these competencies are to be developed through the disciplines that make up the two cycles of primary education. In the first cycle, students learn: reading and writing; counting and performing basic arithmetic and mathematical operations; personal hygiene; developing healthy relationships with others, themselves, and the environment; and health and well-being. Similarly, the school encourages students to recognize and understand differences between people; to respect their elders; and to be honest and supportive. The second cycle expands on the knowledge gained in the first cycle and promotes the development of new skills through the introduction of disciplines such as social sciences, natural sciences, visual education, and crafts. During this cycle, students learn: to use language as a tool for communication, gaining access to science, and social and cultural exchange; make quick calculations; understand political, social and economic transformation; interpret scientific facts and natural phenomena; and express themselves through various forms of art, as well as other practical activities and technologies. The school is to encourage students to recognize and understand differences without prejudice, and to be tolerant, honest, and supportive. 

The 2007 General Secondary Education Curricular Plan includes a number of transversal themes, including: developing a culture of peace, human rights and democracy; gender and equity; sexual and reproductive health (STI, HIV/AIDS), and health and nutrition, among others.