European Education on Sexuality Faces Coordinated Opposition

A new report from the French Planning Familial organization reveals a coordinated and influential opposition to comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) across Europe. The report, released on February 23, 2026, details a growing backlash against CSE, mirroring tactics previously used against abortion rights movements.

Growing Resistance to CSE

The report highlights increasing resistance to CSE, which is recognized by United Nations agencies and the European Union as crucial for promoting human rights, gender equality, and public health. Despite some countries having ambitious legal frameworks, the effective implementation of CSE remains fragile, uneven, and under pressure. Even in France, where CSE is mandatory, implementation is hampered by underfunding, a lack of trained educators, and increasing pressure from opposition groups.

The French Context

In France, the first national curriculum dedicated to Affective, Relational, and Sexual Life Education (EVARS) was introduced after a 2001 law mandated at least three annual sessions in schools. Yet, the Planning Familial, along with Sidaction and SOS Homophobie, filed a complaint in March 2023 regarding the state’s inaction on EVARS implementation. A December 2025 court ruling found the state guilty of failing to meet its legal obligations, though the penalty was a symbolic one euro. This ruling, however, triggered strong criticism from conservative movements.

A Wider European Trend

The Planning Familial’s analysis extends beyond France, examining the situation in Germany, Spain, Italy, Hungary, and Sweden. The study found that attacks against CSE employ similar mechanisms to those used against abortion access, indicating a clear political strategy at play.

Country-Specific Examples

• Sweden: A pioneer in CSE, Sweden made it mandatory in public schools in 1955 and included teacher training on the subject in university programs starting in 2021.
• Italy: CSE remains optional and relies on the initiative of school staff and students, lacking a national legal framework.
• Hungary: Since 2021, Hungary has severely restricted access to CSE in schools, focusing on traditional family values and a biological approach, prohibiting content that deviates from a heterosexual family model.

Key Actors in the Opposition

The report identifies a structured and transnational opposition movement comprised of political parties, associations, media outlets, religious organizations, and parent groups. In France, key actors include the Syndicat de la Famille (formerly Manif pour tous), the Parents Vigilants collective (created by Reconquête), and businessman Pierre-Édouard Stérin. These groups are connected to European and international networks such as the World Congress of Families, Family Watch International, CitizenGO, and One of Us.

Rhetoric and Strategies

The opposition employs a consistent rhetoric that frames CSE as a “cultural war” waged by the “woke movement.” This rhetoric often relies on the demonization of “gender ideology” and the protection of traditional family values and children. The report notes the use of disinformation and the creation of moral panics to undermine support for CSE. Some schools are reportedly self-censoring, canceling workshops, and removing educational content due to intimidation campaigns.

Recommendations

The Planning Familial recommends that European institutions integrate CSE into social policy, guarantee mandatory and inclusive CSE in all member states, appoint a dedicated European Parliament representative for CSE, coordinate transnational efforts, and secure sustainable funding. The goal is to counter the dominance of conservative narratives and ensure access to comprehensive sexuality education for all.