France Found Negligent in Failing to Provide Adequate Sex Education

The decision has fallen, but it is largely symbolic. After two years of legal battle, the state was found guilty of “faulty negligence” this Tuesday by the administrative court of Paris, for failing to meet its obligations in terms of affective, relational and sex education (Evars). Since July 4, 2001, the law provides that students follow three Evars sessions per year in schools, colleges and high schools. Wich is in fact rarely the case: 15% of schoolchildren benefit from it at school and high school and less than 20% in college, according to an official report from 2021.

In March 2023, the “Cas d’École” collective – consisting of the Planning Familial, Sidaction and SOS homophobie – filed a complaint against the state for non-application of the law. “For 22 years, we have really tried to work with the government and the Ministry of National Education to implement this system. And then, we realized that it was not progressing,” argues Hélène Roger, the director of the analysis and advocacy pole of Sidaction.

In its decision, the administrative court recognizes that “sex education has not been ensured in a consistent manner.”