From silence to support

Ongoing education

Hu's approach resonates with that of Professor Liu Wenli of Beijing Normal University, a leading voice in advancing sexuality education in China.

"Sexuality education is not just about teaching the biology of sex," Liu explained. "It's about promoting health, well-being, and human dignity while cultivating important values such as respect, equality, inclusivity, diversity, and non-discrimination. It's a lifelong journey."

Since 2007, Liu and her team have brought sexuality education to schools for children from migrant families. She recalled two stories that stayed with her. One boy, after learning that nocturnal emissions are normal, told his parents that sexuality education was guiding him through adolescence. A girl from a divorced family, after hearing that divorce isn't the child's fault, gained a deeper understanding of the complexity of adult relationships and told her mother she loved her.

"Sexuality education helps children accept themselves and empathize with others. It's a driving force for social progress," Liu said.

She's encouraged by recent policy developments that are giving educators more confidence in their work.

For example, in 2020, the term "sex education" was officially included in China's Law on the Protection of Minors for the first time. In 2021, the State Council's Program for the Development of Chinese Children further emphasized that sexuality education should be integrated into the basic education system.

"In the past, we used vague terms like 'adolescent education' or 'life education' to sidestep the real issue. But for sexuality education to be truly effective, we must address the word 'sex' directly," Liu said. "Its inclusion in national policy documents encourages self-reflection, family-based learning, public discussion, and media attention."