[applause] I've taught sexed to thousands of young people over the years, and between that and my job, I've been asked every question under the sun. Literally, nothing shocks or surprises me anymore. But there is one word that comes up again and again.Should. When should, who should, how should, how big should. There is a should for everything.But of course, when it comes to sex, there is only one should. You should communicate your wants, needs, boundaries, consent. But how well are we really taught to do ...

Core Argument - Traditional norms and societal pressures often silence open conversations about sex, leading to confusion, shame, and fear, particularly for girls [2][3][5] - The digital generation possesses unprecedented power to challenge these norms, break the silence, and rewrite the narrative surrounding women's bodies and sexuality [7][8][9] Challenges and Issues - Sex education often occurs informally and inadequately, relying on whispers, jokes, or online sources [2] - Women are frequently placed in restrictive roles, discouraged from openly discussing sex, and labeled negatively for breaking these societal expectations [3][4] - Female genital mutilation (FGM) persists in some parts of Africa as a means of controlling women's sexuality and marriage prospects [5][6] Opportunities and Solutions - The digital age provides tools to build movements, connect with allies, and challenge traditional norms through online platforms [7][8] - The focus should be on empowering individuals to break free from silence, shame, and pain, and to redefine the narrative surrounding women's bodies [8][9]

Problem & Impact - Traditional values in China make sex education uncomfortable and avoided, leading to a lack of understanding and potential harm [2] - A study indicates that 30% of women in China experience some form of sexual assault [10] - In 2021, Chinese authorities approved the arrest of over 50,000 individuals for assault cases against minors, and 1 in 10 women were assaulted [11] - Lack of education and support contributes to a toxic environment where sexual violence is trivialized [12][13] Systemic Issues - Confucian values emphasizing hierarchy and obedience, along with rigid family structures, suppress women's voices [16] - While 96% of girls in rural China have access to education from ages 6 to 11, only 79% have access to higher education [17] - 70% of women in rural areas reported experiencing some kind of sexual abuse before the age of 16 [17] - Sex education curriculum review processes are slow and often inconsistent, focusing on biological concepts and neglecting consent, boundaries, and emotional well-being [19][20] Proposed Solutions & Initiatives - The industry is creating a free, online resource for sex education in Chinese, focusing on consent, hygiene, self-protection, law, and rights [21] - The goal is to transform silenced information into accessible knowledge and reach out to schools as supplementary materials [22] - Studies show that comprehensive sex education can significantly reduce violence, with examples like Sweden having 150 times fewer assault cases than China [22][23] - Relationship and sex education directly targets the roots of rape culture, decreasing psychological abuse by 25%, sexual violence by 60%, and physical violence by 60% [23]