Safe, healthy, and informed: Raising awareness on World Sexual Health Day

By Admin

05 Sep, 2025

Every year on September 4th, the world comes together to observe World Sexual Health Day a day dedicated to highlighting sexual health as a vital part of overall health and well-being. Led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN’s Special Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP), the day reminds us that sexual health is not only about physical safety but also about dignity, consent, pleasure, and freedom from coercion or discrimination.

This Year’s Theme: Sexual Justice – What Can We Do?

The 2025 theme, “Sexual Justice – What Can We Do?”, urges recognition of sexual health as a cornerstone of well-being. Sexual justice means ensuring that every individual has the power and resources to make free, informed, and healthy decisions about their bodies, sexuality, and reproduction. It also emphasizes:

• Equal access to education, healthcare, and services
  
  

• A world free from violence, discrimination, and exclusion
  
  

• The right for everyone to enjoy sexual health, rights, and pleasure
  
  

The Growing Conversation Around Sexual Health

Over the past decade, cultural conversations on sexuality and sexual health have grown stronger. Improved education, shifting social attitudes, and increased awareness have fueled a surge in demand for sexual-health products.

According to McKinsey, 87% of U.S. consumers reported spending the same or more on sexual-health products in the past year. This trend highlights how people are increasingly recognizing sexual health as a crucial part of personal and emotional well-being.

Affirmative sexual health encourages safe, consensual, and positive experiences, strengthening both emotional and social relationships.

Research Insights Driving Change

Recent studies underscore the importance of innovative approaches to sexual health:

• March 2025 (HRP study): A review of HIV campaigns using a pleasure-based approach revealed that emphasizing enjoyment and empowerment reduces stigma, improves knowledge, and encourages safer behaviors like condom use and HIV testing.
  
  

• December 2024 (WHO Bulletin): Covered topics from harmful gender norms and menstrual hygiene to HIV prevention and sexual empowerment, emphasizing inclusive and people-centered interventions.
  
  

• Global STI Priorities: WHO identified 40 research areas to improve STI prevention, diagnosis, and management.
  
  

• Measurement Tools: HRP and WHO introduced the Sexual Health Assessment of Practices and Experiences (SHAPE) questionnaire, enabling countries to generate comparable data and track progress.
  
  

Key Considerations for Sexual Health

Maintaining sexual health requires awareness and responsibility. Two critical aspects include:

1. Secured Consent

Consent is the foundation of any sexual activity.

• It must be explicit, mutual, and continuous.
  
  

• Past consent does not imply future consent.
  
  

• Silence is not agreement.
  
  

• Alcohol or drug use can impair the ability to consent.
  
  

2. Preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

STIs such as HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and hepatitis B are often transmitted through unprotected sex. Many are treatable, but without care, they can lead to infertility, cancer, or even death. Regular testing and preventive measures like condoms remain essential.

Sexual Health Challenges in Maritime Work

Seafarers face unique challenges due to long separations, isolation, and limited access to healthcare while at sea. Prolonged involuntary sexual abstinence can impact psychological health, leading to:

• Emotional distress and irritability
  
  

• Increased risk-taking behaviors during port visits
  
  

• Frustration and aggression
  
  

Mental health support at sea often focuses on stress and fatigue, leaving sexual well-being overlooked. Recognizing this, organizations like OneCare Group are introducing tailored training programs covering STIs, safe sex, and sexual-health awareness for seafarers.

Addressing Sexual Harassment at Sea

Female seafarers, in particular, face heightened risks of harassment and assault. Studies by SIRC and the Seafarers’ Charity reveal that many women experience isolation and fear reporting incidents.

Surveys by the Norwegian Seafarers’ Union (NSU) show that 31% of members reported harassment, with women, young crew, and new recruits most vulnerable. However, male seafarers can also be affected.

A zero-tolerance approach to harassment, backed by clear reporting systems and awareness campaigns, is vital to creating safe, equitable workplaces at sea.

Promoting Sexual Health Awareness at Sea

Organizations like OneCare Group and Marine Medical Solutions (MMS) are helping seafarers by:

• Offering online and in-person training on sexual health
  
  

• Educating about STIs, contraception, and safe practices
  
  

• Addressing LGBTQ+ and gender-specific needs
  
  

• Encouraging peer-to-peer support to reduce stigma
  
  

Experts stress that open dialogue, access to medical care, and mental health support are crucial for promoting healthy sexual well-being in maritime environments.

Moving Forward: Sexual Health as a Cornerstone of Well-Being

As WHO reminds us, health is not just the absence of disease it is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. By embracing sexual health as an essential part of life, society can build a more equitable, inclusive, and healthier future for all.

On this World Sexual Health Day, let us remember that being safe, healthy, and informed about sexual well-being is not just a choice it’s a right.