Alyson Kilpatrick

The rights body carried out an investigation to assess the extent to which post-primary schools in NI are providing “age-appropriate, comprehensive and scientifically accurate education on sexual and reproductive health and rights, covering prevention of early pregnancy and access to abortion”.

This was the recommendation of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in a 2018 report which was uniquely incorporated into UK law through section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019.

During the investigation, independent expert analysis of evidence provided by schools, external providers, and public authorities found that there are some positive examples of post-primary schools providing comprehensive and scientifically accurate relationships and sexuality education (RSE).

However, in the majority of schools this is not the case, where resources are not always considered to be comprehensive, pluralistic and objective. There were also some examples of schools using resources which were outdated.

The report found that most schools rely at least in part on external providers to provide RSE, who may have specialist knowledge or comfort with certain topics that teachers themselves may not. Previous research has indicated that 46 per cent of teachers in the UK do not feel confident teaching RSE.

Alyson Kilpatrick, NIHRC chief commissioner, said: “Comprehensive and accurate RSE is essential to the fulfilment of a range of human rights including the right to education, the right to health and even the right to life. It also has an important role to play in preventing abuse and violence against women and girls and promoting gender equality.

“The Commission carried out an investigation to determine whether or not children’s rights are being realised in this regard, and unfortunately the findings make it clear that there is still a long way to go.

“We hope that the report will start necessary conversations around the reform of RSE, and that the recommendations will provide practical guidance for schools and public authorities in complying with the CEDAW recommendation.”