World Sexual Health Day is a day that falls on September 4th and is managed by the World Association for Sexual Health, or WAS. This day was created to increase social awareness about the role that sexuality plays in the health of humans and to promote the fact that true sexual health can only be attained when a person is in possession of their sexual rights. Sexual health not only involves a respectful and positive approach to sexual relationships and sexuality but also ensures that sexual experiences are safe and free from discrimination, coercion, and violence.

The History of World Sexual Health Day

World Sexual Health Day was created in 2010 by the WAS. They created the day to increase social awareness about the role that sexuality plays in everyday human health and to promote the fact that a person can’t tend to their own sexual health until they have the rights to their own sexuality. The cornerstone of this holiday is the Declaration of Sexual Rights. This declaration was first proclaimed at the 13th World Congress of Sexology in 1997 in Valencia. Two years later, it was revised at the 14th World Congress of Sexology in Hong Kong. The declaration would be further revised in 2014 to its current form listed below:

• The Declaration of Sexual Rights
• The right to justice and redress of wrongs
• The right to non-discrimination and equality
• The right to privacy
• The right to proper sexual education
• The right to peaceful assembly
• The right to be free from coercion and violence
• The right to participate in political and public life
• The right to life and liberty
• The right to personal security
• The right to bodily autonomy and integrity
• The right to be free of degrading treatment or cruel punishment
• The right to the highest standard of health—particularly sexual health
• The right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress
• The right to the freedom of thought and expression
• The right to decide whether or not to have children; the number of children; and to have all information regarding family planning
• The right to enter or dissolve a marriage based on full and free consent and equality

Facts About Sexual Health

To sum up this day, we’ve listed some things about sexual health that we feel everyone should know. Let’s take a quick look at them below before moving on.

• Sexual health is the state of mental, physical, emotional, and social well-being as it relates to sex. It isn’t just the absence of disease or dysfunction.
• A sexually active teen who doesn’t use contraceptives has a 90% chance of becoming pregnant over the next year.

Observing World Sexual Health Day

This day is observed by people in the medical field, schools, and organizations concerned with human sexuality all over the world. It’s also observed by people working towards better sexual equality, securing people their sexual rights, and expanding sexual rights for everyone. People can join in on the mission by using the hashtag #WorldSexualHealthDay on their social media posts for the day.