Although the program was not new and had been available for years, making it compulsory sparked a firestorm of controversy. In September 2023, a series of school arsons in Wallonia were believed to be linked to protests against the Evras program. Misinformation spread rapidly online, with false claims that the curriculum was designed to sexualize children or encourage gender transitioning. In response, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo condemned the violence and reaffirmed that sex education has been a pillar of Belgian society for half a century, stating, "It’s not new, it’s the basis of sexual health, but also the basis for our children to be aware of their rights and [physical] integrity". Despite the initial upheaval, a 2025 report two years after the fact found that Evras had been successfully integrated into the curriculum in nine out of ten French-speaking schools.
In 1991, Belgium took a significant step in formalizing sexual education (SE) within its school curriculum. At the time, the approach was largely biological, focusing on anatomy, reproduction, and the physiological changes of puberty. Over the last three decades, however, the landscape of sexual education in Belgium has undergone a profound transformation. Driven by the World Health Organization’s standards and shifting societal norms, the "updated" model of Belgian sexual education has moved from a risk-based focus (preventing pregnancy and disease) to a holistic approach centered on sexual health, consent, and relational competence.
What are you looking to educate or support? Although the program was not new and had
Learning to handle these "low points" with grace is what turns a teenage crush into a "solid" foundation for adult relationships. Focus on being a person you’d want to date: kind, reliable, and comfortable in your own skin. To help you navigate your own specific situation or story:
Education must emphasize that consent is enthusiastic, informed, reversible, and specific. Teens need to know how to set their own boundaries and respect others' boundaries, both physically and emotionally. In response, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo condemned
Since the early 2010s, Belgium has moved toward a nationwide Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) policy. Experts and organizations like Sensoa, the Flemish expertise centre for sexual health, have championed this holistic approach. The focus has expanded from purely preventing negative outcomes like pregnancy and STIs to developing life skills. Modern CSE aims to provide young people with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to navigate their sexual and reproductive health, relationships, and choices responsibly.
Boundary education must expand past "just say no" to cover emotional, digital, and physical limits. At the time, the approach was largely biological,
Shifting the Paradigm: An Analysis of Puberty and Sexual Education for Boys and Girls in Belgium, 1991, and Its Contemporary Updates
Even with its progressive reputation and successful health outcomes, Belgium's system faces significant challenges and legitimate criticisms.
A comprehensive curriculum that blends puberty with relationship literacy should focus on several foundational pillars: 1. Deciphering Attraction and Intensity
One of the most significant shifts in contemporary sexual education is the emphasis on consent. In 2025, the Belgian government launched a national campaign, "Consent is het nieuwe sexy" (Consent is the New Sexy), aimed at young people aged 18 to 25. The campaign was prompted by alarming statistics, including a 2020 study finding that nearly one in three young people thought it was normal to pressure someone into a sexual act, and 16.1 percent of male and 28.5 percent of female university students reported experiencing unwanted touching, exhibitionism, or attempted penetration in the preceding year. The consent campaign emphasizes that sex education today is not just about biology and reproduction, but about active communication, dynamic boundaries, and respect.