An ultra-conservative “anti-gender” group has launched a major fearmongering campaign on social media against Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in South African schools.
The group, CitizenGO, is running adverts on platforms like X, alleging that “South Africa’s children are being taught harmful sex education without proper parental consent,” and asserting that “Childhood must be protected, not sexualised.”
The ads link to a petition addressed to the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube. In it, the group claims that “children as young as nine are being exposed to scripted lessons on masturbation, abortion, contraception, gender identity, and sexual orientation.”
CitizenGO argues that this “is ideological social engineering, designed to shift cultural norms while silencing parents and communities who object.”
Disputed Claims About CSE
The group further makes claims—strongly disputed by education experts—that CSE “normalises sexual experimentation at a young age, encourages children to see themselves as sexual beings before they are mature, and creates confusion about identity and relationships.”
The petition accuses the South African government of failing to protect children by exposing them to “content that confuses, sexualises, and divides.”
Warning ominously that “every day of delay means more children are harmed,” it calls on the government to “stop Comprehensive Sexuality Education before the damage becomes irreversible.”
The petition had more than 2,000 signatories at the time of publishing this article.
What is Comprehensive Sexuality Education?
Comprehensive Sexuality Education was introduced in South Africa in 2000 within the subjects of Life Orientation and Life Skills.
According to the World Health Organization, Comprehensive Sexuality Education “gives young people accurate, age-appropriate information about sexuality and their sexual and reproductive health, which is critical for their health and survival.”
This kind of education empowers young people with the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes they need to safeguard their health, build respectful relationships, make informed decisions, and recognise and respect the rights of others.
About CitizenGO
CitizenGO is described as an “ultra-conservative advocacy group,” founded in Madrid, Spain, in 2013, with roots in the conservative-Catholic and far-right world.
It claims to be a “family” group, a stance that essentially rejects any family structure not based on the traditional cisgender male and female parents, which it frames as a danger to society.
The group uses online campaigns and petitions to fight against abortion, euthanasia, same-sex marriage, transgender equality, and the decriminalisation of homosexuality. It has also supported Russia’s so-called “gay propaganda” legislation.
The CitizenGO campaign reflects a growing wave of internationally funded initiatives opposing LGBTQ+ rights and equality on the African continent under the guise of protecting traditional and Christian values. These efforts typically seek to sow fear and panic by claiming that children and families are under threat from so-called “gender ideology”, sexual rights advocates, and LGBTQ+ equality.
One Response
This raises concerns, but what do we do to counter it? Do we raise our own petition? Is there an organisation we can email our words support to?