Leading with values: How working in faith and CSE can transform communities.

Q: How is Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) a priority for World Vision?

A: Comprehensive Sexuality Education is essential for equipping adolescents with the knowledge, values, and skills they need to make informed decisions. These are important foundations for young people in their development, and for our work as World Vision , an international Christian relief, development and advocacy organization that focuses on helping children who are vulnerable to poverty, abuse, and exploitation.

This is because CSE addresses more than reproductive health — and when introduced appropriately, it tackles societal issues like gender inequality, economic marginalization, and harmful cultural norms, to help young people know their rights and learn respect. Our aim, through programmatic and partnership work, is to empower young people and their communities, so that children and adolescents can lead healthy, productive lives whilst challenging stigma and taboos surrounding issues like sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), HIV, child/early/forced marriage, and adolescent pregnancy.

Q: How do you build support amidst communities who are uncertain about CSE?

A: We begin with understanding and by listening. Resistance often comes from fear of the unknown or concern that CSE will conflict with cultural or religious values. But when we engage communities, we find common ground. Parents and leaders care deeply about their children’s well-being, and so do we.

In Tanzania, we have partnered with faith leaders to frame CSE as a tool to protect and uplift youth. By grounding conversations in shared values like justice, equality, and care, we show that CSE complements their teachings rather than challenging them. For example, faith-based programmes like “Channels of Hope for Gender” bring together religious leaders in dialogue to explore and use scripture to address harmful practices, such as early marriage, while promoting gender equality and the importance of education.

Q: Can you share more about Channels of Hope and how you bring together values from culture, faith and CSE?

A: Faith-based engagement is key to our approach as a Christian development organization. In communities where faith plays a central role, we partner with religious leaders to align CSE principles with shared values like justice, compassion, and equality.?

Faith leaders are powerful influencers in their communities. Programmes like “Channels of Hope” bring them together to discuss barriers and solutions grounded in shared religious values. It also trains these leaders to advocate for gender equality and adolescent health. These faith-informed perspectives help parents and leaders see the content of CSE as a tool for protecting and uplifting youth, rather than a threat to tradition. Their advocacy creates a ripple effect, helping communities view CSE as a means of supporting their beliefs. By connecting these shared values to the benefits of CSE, we are creating a movement of support that works to break down traditional barriers.

Q: Can you share some of the impact you’ve seen from including CSE within your programmatic work?

A: CSE’s impact is grounded in evidence. In Tanzania, we have a project called, Accelerated Hope and Development for Urban Adolescents (AHADI). It’s a gender-transformative project that has revealed significant vulnerabilities among adolescents, especially in rapidly urbanizing areas.?

Data showed rising rates of transactional sex, substance use among adolescents, and stigma towards adolescents who access health services. Through AHADI, we’ve created safe, youth-driven spaces where adolescents can learn specific SRHR facts amongst their peers, openly discuss these issues, build self-confidence, and make empowered decisions.

The AHADI project also integrates local faith and community leaders into the conversation, blending culturally sensitive approaches with health education. For example, faith leaders, once informed, felt more comfortable to challenge harmful norms like early marriage or female genital mutilation (FGM), fostering a community-wide attitude shift toward equality and respect. These efforts have helped break down stigma, ensuring that adolescents feel supported rather than judged.

Q: What role do young people play in shaping these programs?

A: AHADI creates platforms for young people to voice their concerns, ideas and solutions, making the programs we collectively develop more relevant and impactful for them. Young people are at the heart of our work and important in shaping and building this. In the AHADI programme, young people lead peer-to-peer education sessions in AHADI impact groups. They, share knowledge and foster mutual support. We’ve seen that given the space, adolescents have an openness and willingness to address taboo topics and want to drive meaningful change.

Our aim is to support a generation of informed, empowered, and empathetic individuals. When young people feel valued and equipped to make healthy choices, they contribute to a brighter, more equitable society.

Q: What makes World Vision’s approach to CSE unique?

A: It’s holistic and community-driven. The AHADI project doesn’t just focus only on health for example, it integrates gender equality and social inclusion, economic empowerment, and mental health and well-being. It also builds young people’s confidence, critical thinking skills, and resilience.

In urban Tanzania, where many adolescents and young people face economic hardships and social exclusion, CSE also integrates life skills and financial literacy, preparing them for a more stable future. This multi-faceted approach ensures that they are not only informed but also equipped to thrive in every aspect of life and that the effects can ripple outward, strengthening families and entire communities.

CSE is not just education—it’s an investment in the well-being of our global community.