World Sexual Health (WSHD)Day is an important annual observance celebrated on September 4th to promote sexual health and wellbeing worldwide. It is a day to raise awareness about the importance of sexual health, and to encourage people to take proactive steps towards maintaining their sexual health. Sexual health is a fundamental aspect of overall health and wellness, and is critical for maintaining healthy relationships and achieving a fulfilling life.
WSHD 2023: Consent!
The theme for World Sexual Health Day 2023 is “Consent!”. This theme is particularly important in the current climate, as issues surrounding consent continue to be a major concern for individuals and communities worldwide. No means no, and we gotta respect everyone’s choices and autonomy – no matter what their gender, sexual orientation, or anything else might be.
This year’s theme highlights the importance of respecting boundaries and promoting healthy communication in sexual relationships. It also underscores the need for education and awareness around issues of consent, particularly in the context of sexual violence and harassment. By promoting a culture of consent, we can help to create a world where all individuals feel safe, respected, and empowered in their sexual lives.
In addition to promoting consent, World Sexual Health Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about a wide range of sexual health issues. This includes issues such as STIs, contraception, sexual dysfunction, and menopause. By providing education and resources on these topics, we can help individuals to make informed choices about their sexual health, and promote healthy and fulfilling sexual lives.
So mark your calendars for September 4th, 2023 and join us in promoting sexual health and consent!
The history of World Sexual Health Day
In 2010, the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) initiated the celebration of World Sexual Health Day (WSHD) on September 4th to raise global awareness about sexual health. The inaugural event, themed “Let’s talk about it!”, aimed to break the fears and taboos surrounding sexuality.
Since then, World Sexual Health Day has been celebrated in 60 countries through diverse activities, including roundtable discussions, conferences, and art exhibitions. Organizers have brought WSHD activities to schools, media outlets, hospitals, libraries, universities, public squares, art halls, and theatre groups. WAS strives to ensure that sexual health issues are openly discussed everywhere!
Previous topics addressed on World Sexual Health Day encompass a wide range of sexual health dimensions:
- 2022 Let’s Talk Pleasure
- 2021 TURN IT ON [Sexual Health in a digital word]
- 2020 “Sexual pleasure in times of COVID-19”
- 2019 “Sexuality Education for all: a bridge to sexual health”
- 2018 “Sexual Health and Sexual Rights are FUNDAMENTAL for well-being – Celebrating 40 years of the World Association for Sexual Health”
- 2017 “Love, bonding and intimacy, a possibility for all”
- 2016 “Sexual Health: Eliminating the Myths”
- 2015 “Sexual Health for a fairer society”
- 2014 “Sexual health: The well-being of sexuality”
- 2013 “To achieve sexual health, picture yourself owning your sexual rights!”
- 2012 “In a diverse world, sexual health for all!”
- 2011 “Youth’s sexual health: Shared rights and responsibilities.”
- 2010 “Let’s talk about it!”
