Frequently Asked Questions:
SHAPE Europe is a diverse and growing coalition of former HIV activists, sexual health educators, stigma experts, community advocates, healthcare professionals, and researchers. Find Answers about Our Advocacy and Work.
In 2025, sexual health advocacy in Europe has evolved into a comprehensive, rights-based framework known as Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). This modern approach prioritizes the empowerment, inclusivity, and human rights of all individuals, especially youth and marginalized communities. Sexual health now encompasses identity, relationships, consent, and pleasure, moving beyond basic reproductive biology. Advocacy is an organized political process to influence public opinion, policies, and funding at all levels. A key pillar is the "Rights, Respect, Responsibility®" (3Rs) framework, which asserts young people's right to information and services, calls for respect for their sexual development, and promotes responsible decision-making. Advocates increasingly use economic and security arguments alongside human rights to broaden support. The focus has shifted from creating new laws to ensuring the effective implementation, funding, and monitoring of existing policies to guarantee that services reach those in need. References https://www.ippf.org/sites/default/files/2016-05/ippf_cse_report_eng_web.pdf2 https://commons.clarku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1226&context=idce_masters_papers http://petri-sofia.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Advocacy-Kit.pdf https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/storage//advfy/documents/advocate_eeca.pdf https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/storage//advfy/documents/mvc_toolkit_1.pdf https://rm.coe.int/follow-up-report-on-the-2017-ip-on-srhr-sexual-and-reproductice-health/1680aea9b478 https://www.ifpa.ie/sites/default/files/compendium_on_young_peoples_sexual_and_reproductive_health_and_rights_policies_in_europe.pdf https://www.who.int/europe/health-topics/sexual-health
Peer engagement is crucial for youth sexual health strategy because peers are uniquely credible and trusted messengers for sensitive information. They share a common language and social context, making health messages more relatable and effective than those delivered by adults. This trust allows peer educators to act as a vital "bridge" connecting marginalized communities with essential services like HIV prevention and harm reduction. Studies link peer involvement to positive health outcomes, including reduced HIV incidence and changes in risk behaviors. Peer education also empowers young people by building their self-esteem, communication skills, and sense of agency. The experience is profoundly beneficial for peer educators, who develop confidence, leadership skills, and a lasting commitment to community health, creating a multiplier effect for the program's investment. References https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254096091_Peer_sexual_health_education_Interventions_for_effective_programme_evaluation https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349013434_Peer_driven_or_driven_peers_A_rapid_review_of_peer_involvement_of_people_who_use_drugs_in_HIV_and_harm_reduction_services_in_low-_and_middle-income_countries1415 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4829363/ https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/12/22/2291 https://www.jmir.org/2020/11/e18650/16
In 2025, the most effective peer engagement models blend in-person interaction with digital platforms. High-quality, interactive face-to-face training equips peer educators with practical skills and confidence, supported by continuous coaching and supervision. These traditional methods are now integrated with digital strategies, offering scalability and anonymity that encourage open discussion on sensitive topics. A key innovation is the "Peer Digital Navigator," who teaches critical media literacy skills to help peers identify misinformation and navigate the online world safely. Successful programs balance youth empowerment with the practical requirements of safety, funding, and accountability, creating a flexible model that maximizes youth leadership while maintaining necessary oversight. References https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254096091_Peer_sexual_health_education_Interventions_for_effective_programme_evaluation https://www.jmir.org/2020/11/e18650/20 https://www.jmir.org/2020/11/e18650/
The 2025 release of 2023 data from the ECDC confirms an alarming surge in STIs across Europe, with significant increases in gonorrhoea, syphilis, and chlamydia. This has prompted an urgent adaptation of advocacy and peer engagement strategies. The core public health message is now focused on three pillars: prevent, test, and treat. Advocacy campaigns are intensifying calls for consistent condom use and the normalization of routine STI testing, especially for those with new or multiple partners. Peer educators are on the front lines, working to destigmatize STIs and testing within their communities. They translate clinical warnings into relatable, actionable advice, creating a culture where getting tested is seen as a routine act of self-care. This crisis also provides a strategic opportunity for advocates. By linking the STI surge to weakened Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) programs and highlighting the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in gonorrhoea, they can reframe SRHR as an issue of national health security, thereby building broader political support. References https://rm.coe.int/follow-up-report-on-the-2017-ip-on-srhr-sexual-and-reproductice-health/1680aea9b4 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254096091_Peer_sexual_health_education_Interventions_for_effective_programme_evaluation1415 https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/sti-cases-continue-rise-across-europe https://www.emjreviews.com/microbiology-infectious-diseases/news/sti-surge-in-europe-sparks-public-health-concern/ https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/sti-cases-continue-rise-across-europe https://www.aidsactioneurope.org/ https://www.securitywomen.org/post/the-impact-of-anti-genderism-on-the-women-peace-and-security-agenda-in-central-and-eastern-europe https://academic.oup.com/sp/advance-article/doi/10.1093/sp/jxaf015/8097952 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7887896/
"Anti-gender" movements represent a coordinated transnational threat to SRHR in Europe. Their core tactic is to frame "gender" as a dangerous "ideology" that threatens the "natural order" of the traditional family. They specifically target abortion access, LGBTQ+ rights, and Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE). Key tactics include spreading disinformation to create moral panic, forming "opportunistic synergies" with right-wing populist parties to gain political influence, and working to obstruct protective laws and policies.
An evidence-based counter-strategy requires multiple actions. First, advocates must reframe the public narrative around positive, shared values of health, safety, and human rights. Second, they must build broad coalitions with democracy, human rights, and anti-disinformation groups to expose the anti-gender movement's wider anti-democratic agenda. Third, and most critically, peer educators must be trained in media literacy to act as "truth tellers" at the grassroots level, equipping their communities to identify and resist harmful propaganda.
References
https://rm.coe.int/follow-up-report-on-the-2017-ip-on-srhr-sexual-and-reproductice-health/1680aea9b4
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/sti-cases-continue-rise-across-europe
https://academic.oup.com/sp/advance-article/doi/10.1093/sp/jxaf015/8097952
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7887896/
https://academic.oup.com/sp/advance-article/doi/10.1093/sp/jxaf015/8097952
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/26410397.2019.1610281
Advocates can strategically advance SRHR by aligning their work with the European Union's post-2025 policy frameworks. The new "Roadmap for Women's Rights," published in March 2025, offers key entry points through its principles of freedom from violence, the right to the highest standards of health, and quality education. These principles provide a strong basis for demanding comprehensive SRHR services and education as fundamental rights.
Another key strategy is to integrate SRHR into the agenda for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), arguing that UHC cannot be achieved without including essential services like family planning and STI prevention. However, success requires navigating a politically contested environment. The rise of anti-gender movements poses a constant threat of regression. Effective advocacy therefore involves not only aligning with supportive policies but also building broad coalitions, using accountability mechanisms like the European Parliament, and leveraging data from public health crises to create a sense of urgency.
References
https://rm.coe.int/follow-up-report-on-the-2017-ip-on-srhr-sexual-and-reproductice-health/1680aea9b478
https://www.who.int/europe/health-topics/sexual-health
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/sti-cases-continue-rise-across-europe
https://academic.oup.com/sp/advance-article/doi/10.1093/sp/jxaf015/8097952
https://www.who.int/europe/health-topics/sexual-health
https://correlation-net.org/project/community-response-to-end-inequalities-core/
AI and digital health apps are reshaping sexual health by offering new ways to access information, but they also introduce significant risks. AI-powered tools can provide confidential answers and bridge gaps in health services. However, the rising popularity of fertility-tracking apps has been linked to an increase in unintended pregnancies, and there are major concerns across all digital health platforms regarding data privacy, the spread of misinformation, and algorithmic bias that could perpetuate health inequalities.
The key advocacy priorities for 2025 are to establish strong regulatory frameworks to protect user data and ensure transparency. There is also a critical need to promote digital and health literacy, empowering users to critically evaluate the information and tools they use. Finally, advocacy must ensure that these technologies are developed and deployed ethically and equitably, complementing rather than replacing traditional healthcare services to avoid deepening the digital divide.
References
https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/fact-sheets/item/adolescents-and-reproductive-health
https://www.jmir.org/2020/11/e18650/20
https://www.epfweb.org/node/1123
According to WHO European standards, Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) is a holistic, scientifically accurate, and age-appropriate curriculum grounded in human rights and gender equality. It moves beyond biology to cover the cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality, with topics introduced incrementally from a young age. Evidence shows that high-quality CSE leads to positive health outcomes, including delayed sexual debut and increased safer sex practices, without hastening sexual activity.
The primary barrier to its universal implementation is political opposition from "anti-gender" movements, which spread harmful disinformation, wrongfully describing CSE as abusive or inappropriate. This creates a hostile political environment that hinders progress. Additional logistical barriers include the lack of mandatory CSE policies in many countries, insufficient time in the curriculum, and a widespread lack of adequate training and support for the teachers tasked with delivering this sensitive material.
References
https://rm.coe.int/follow-up-report-on-the-2017-ip-on-srhr-sexual-and-reproductice-health/1680aea9b4
https://www.who.int/europe/health-topics/sexual-health153738
https://www.comprehensivesexualityeducation.org/cse-materials-index/who-european-standards/
In Europe's complex online environment, the most reliable sources of sexual health information are official and professionally vetted organizations. These include international and national public health bodies like the WHO, reputable NGOs such as the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), formal school-based CSE programs, and specialized youth-friendly health clinics. While young people often turn to the internet for its anonymity, this space is filled with unreliable and harmful content. This makes the role of the peer educator as a "digital navigator" essential. Rather than simply providing facts, their primary function is to promote critical digital literacy. Effective strategies include teaching peers how to evaluate the credibility of online sources, identify and deconstruct misinformation, practice digital safety and privacy, and curate and share lists of trusted resources. References https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/fact-sheets/item/adolescents-and-reproductive-health https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4829363/ https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/12/22/2291 https://www.jmir.org/2020/11/e18650/ https://www.jmir.org/2020/11/e18650/ https://www.aidsactioneurope.org/ https://www.brook.org.uk/shw/3738 https://europe.ippf.org/about-us https://europe.ippf.org/our-approach/partners/key-partner/ysafe
Several European programs serve as models of excellence in sexual health. France's "Service Sanitaire" (SeSa) is a large-scale, mandatory program where healthcare students act as peer educators for teenagers, a model proven to significantly increase SRH knowledge for both groups. At a pan-European level, the International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network (IPPF EN) and its youth network, YSAFE, excel in networked advocacy and youth governance, empowering young people to lead and shape SRHR initiatives. In the HIV field, community-led networks like the European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG) and HIV Ireland's peer support program are exemplary models that treat lived experience as a form of expertise and provide essential, empathetic support. Finally, successful school-based interventions, such as Healthy Respect 2 (HR2) in Scotland, demonstrate that multi-session, interactive programs focusing on positive psychosocial skills are highly effective. References https://www.aidsactioneurope.org/ https://europe.ippf.org/about-us https://europe.ippf.org/our-approach/partners/key-partner/ysafe https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9714008/ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365943732_Multidisciplinary_peer-led_sexual_and_reproductive_health_education_programme_in_France_a_prospective_controlled-study https://en.europe.ippf.org/youth-centred-approach/ https://europe.ippf.org/our-approach/programmes https://www.eatg.org/ https://www.hivireland.ie/what-we-do/peersupport/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10352496/