The European Parliament condemned on 14 November an initiative to amend a Polish law, which will threaten all those who provide sexual education to minors, including for example teachers and caregivers but also writers, publishers and civil society organisations, with the risk of facing up to three years in prison.

Members of the Renew Europe Group are seriously concerned about the latest developments in Poland and call on the Polish Parliament to refrain from adopting this harmful bill and to ensure instead that young people have access to sexual education, free from any ideology.

MEP Irène Tolleret, Coordinator of the European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, said today:

“Access to sexual education is essential for the creation of a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships. We cannot stand by and watch as children are deprived of their very right to health and sexual education, even less so when it might happen within our Union. Instead of diminishing it, the Europe of the 21st century is and has to be at the forefront of providing modern education, free from any ideology.”

“We call on the Polish Parliament to refrain from adopting this harmful bill. Europe must strongly counter any backlash on sexual and reproductive healthcare, access to contraceptive methods and safe and legal abortion. Sexual education means health!”