As a member of the international nongovernmental organization Plan International, I have advocated for institutionalizing and expanding "Life Safety Education" which teaches children the knowledge and skills needed to help prevent them from becoming either victims or perpetrators of sexual violence.

At its foundation is the right to sexual self-determination -- the idea that "you decide for yourself about your own mind and body" -- and the concept of SRHR, or sexual and reproductive health and rights, which aims for lifelong physical and mental well-being.

In Japan, a deeply rooted norm holds that sex should not be discussed publicly. In schools, a so-called brake provision in the National Curriculum Standards under which topics such as sexual intercourse are not addressed has constrained instruction, limiting the information provided for students. Meanwhile, as children's surroundings have changed dramatically in recent years, a lack of proper sexual education is........

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