DUBLIN – As the world observes World Sexual Health Day on September 4, the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners are placing a renewed focus on “Sexual Justice” as the core theme for 2025. This theme reframes sexual health not just as the absence of disease, but as a fundamental human right that is essential for overall well-being.
The World Association for Sexual Health (WAS), the day’s primary organizer, defines sexual justice as a state where all people have the power and resources to make free and healthy decisions about their bodies, sexuality, and reproduction. This includes equal access to sexual health services, education, and care, free from discrimination, violence, and stigma.
The campaign highlights four critical areas to achieve sexual justice:
- Sexual and Reproductive Rights: Advocating for bodily autonomy and the right to make informed choices about reproduction.
- LGBTQ+ Adolescents: Affirming and defending the rights and identities of all LGBTQ+ people, with a special focus on transgender, gender-diverse, gay, and lesbian youth.
- Access to Information: Ensuring that everyone has access to accurate, uncensored, and evidence-based information about sexuality and health.
- Sexual Rights: Promoting dignity, pleasure, and health for all, without fear or shame.
Global Progress and Ongoing Challenges
This year’s observance comes with a renewed sense of urgency, as recent data from organizations like WHO and GlobalData reveal both progress and persistent challenges.
- Positive Steps: The WHO’s work on pleasure-based communication campaigns for HIV prevention has shown promising results. A systematic review of 29 such campaigns found that emphasizing pleasure, rather than fear or stigma, led to better knowledge, increased condom use, and higher rates of HIV testing. The WHO has also expanded its guidance on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to close policy and service gaps, with new recommendations for targeted screenings.
- Persistent Setbacks: Despite these efforts, the global burden of STIs remains high. Reports from the U.S. indicate a continued decline in sexual health testing in hospitals, which experts attribute to funding cuts, particularly for organizations serving marginalized communities. In India, a recent report highlights how Gen Z is increasingly turning to dating apps for sexual health advice, citing social taboos, lack of privacy, and fear of judgment when seeking professional medical help. This trend underscores the need for more accessible and confidential healthcare services.
Key Takeaways for Individuals and Communities
The 2025 theme challenges not only governments and health organizations but also individuals to take action. This includes prioritizing intimacy, practicing a positive mindset toward sexuality, and supporting physical health as a key component of sexual well-being. By treating sexual health as an everyday part of overall health, communities can work toward a future where sexuality is experienced with dignity, safety, and joy.
