Today Is World Sexual Health Day

Today marks World Sexual Health Day, an annual awareness day held on 4 September to encourage healthier, more open conversations around sexual health and wellbeing.

Despite being something that affects almost everyone at some point in their lives, sexual health can still feel awkward, embarrassing or even taboo to talk about.

But avoiding the conversation does not make the issues disappear.

Open and accurate discussions around sexual health can help people better understand consent, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, healthy relationships, boundaries and when to seek medical advice.

It also helps challenge misinformation, particularly in an age where many young people are exposed to sexual content online before receiving proper education about relationships and sexual wellbeing.

Sexual health is not simply about avoiding infections or unwanted pregnancies. The World Health Organization describes it as part of a person’s wider physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing.

This year’s World Sexual Health Day theme is “Every Body”, highlighting that sexual health, rights and access to reliable information should apply to everyone.

Sometimes the healthiest thing we can do is simply make these conversations feel normal.

Because asking questions, getting tested, speaking to a doctor or setting boundaries should never be something to feel ashamed about.

#MaltaDaily