In Depth: The World Starts with Me

A teacher in Jimma, Ethiopia, discusses how your body changes during puberty
Students in Ethiopia follow the digital lesson package
Youth in Kenya made an exhibition about what they learned
Young woman in Uganda follows the lessons
Children in Thailand follow the lessons at school
In every country, the main characters look different. These are the peer educators in Indonesia
These are the peer educators in Kenya
The peer educators for young people living with HIV in Uganda
The peer educators in Thailand

We discuss how men and women differ from each other, but also how they are equal. We support young people in working with them towards a bright future for themselves, their partners and their children.

Tailor-made

Currently, the World Starts With Me is used in 10 countries in Africa and Asia. In every country, we adapt the curriculum to young people’s needs in that specific culture and setting. Where necessary, additional lessons on specific topics are added. This is why the original Ugandan version that we developed in cooperation with Butterfly Works, differs from the one in Indonesia. Not only do the main characters look different, the content is different too. We continually focus on how to make sure the programme is effective, how to respect local culture, and protect human rights.

Comprehensive

What makes the World Starts With Me comprehensive? The World Starts With Me:

Is based on evidence;
Emphasises the importance of forming healthy relationships;
Builds self-esteem;
Teaches young people how to protect their physical and emotional well-being;
Teaches them the consequences of having sex and the importance of safe sex;
Explains about their sexual health rights.

Target groups

The World Starts With Me targets in- and out-of-school youth between 12 and 19 years old. For example, in Uganda and Ethiopia a special adaptation of The World Starts With Me is used in the highest classes of primary schools. Also in Uganda WSWM+ is tailor-made for young people born and living with HIV. In Indonesia specific adaptations were made for both hearing- and visually impaired youth. And in Vietnam The World Starts With Me is taught at teacher training colleges.

10 countries

Currently the programme is running in 10 countries in Africa and Asia. In Asia young people in Indonesia, (including Papua), Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam follow the programme. In Africa the countries are: Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Burundi and Malawi.

Different versions and settings

All versions and settings in which WSWM is used is shown below. For more information you can also download our factsheet.

Factsheet French

Where do we teach the World Starts with Me?
Country	Primary schools	Secondary schools (junior and high, incl. religious schools)	Special education (students with hearing/ visual impairments)	Teacher Training Colleges	Out of school settings
Bangladesh		2014
Burundi		2014
Ethiopia	2013/2014	2012
Ghana	2014	2014
Indonesia		2007	2009		Prisoners (2008)
Indonesia Papua		2011
Kenya	2014	2005			Slums (2004)
Malawi	2015			2014
Thailand		2007
Uganda	Currently prohibited	2004 and 2014			Young people living with HIV (2014)
Vietnam		High school : 2011; Junior high school: 2013		2010

Recognition

In 2010 UNESCO’s International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education recommended The World Starts With Me as one of 18 programmes worldwide that is truly comprehensive.

Impact

During an artweek in Ethiopia we asked 20 students to explain in drawings how The World Starts With Me changed their lives. Supported by two art teachers, the students (eight girls and twelve boys from 15 to 17 years old) visualised their experiences using linocuts. Each image is a very personal vision on how sexuality education helped them to become confident and articulate young men and women.