Overview

For this lesson, you should find an appropriate way to present all of the information below on what reproductive rights are. We recommend making a PowerPoint or slideshow to showcase all the definitions and facts. This information sets the foundation for the activity, just like the previous two courses.

For the first activity, we ask that you read the two articles with your class about the preventable deaths of two women and have a roundtable discussion using the prompting questions we provide.

The second lesson in this course is on sex education, with an activity that involves understanding what to do in unsafe sexual situations.

Lesson 1: What are reproductive rights?

Female reproductive rights encompass the autonomy and control that female individuals have over their own bodies and reproductive functions. This includes the right to make decisions about whether or not to have children, when to have them, and how to manage their reproductive health, free from coercion, discrimination, and violence. 

Under reproductive rights is the right to abortion. Women should have the right to abortion as a human healthcare service, as it can make the difference between life and death; it is an issue of privacy and health, not a political debate.

What is abortion?

Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by removing or expelling an embryo or fetus from the uterus. It can occur spontaneously (as in a miscarriage) or be induced through medical procedures.

Abortion is undeniably a form of life-saving healthcare, both in terms of physical well-being and broader societal impacts. It is more than just a choice—it is a critical healthcare service that can save lives, preserve well-being, and uphold essential human rights. The conversation around it should focus on medical facts, ethical principles, and compassionate care rather than misinformation or stigma

The importance of reproductive rights:

Reproductive rights are essential for women's overall health and well-being, as well as their socioeconomic status and overall quality of life. When women have control over their reproductive health, they are more likely to: 

• Have better physical and mental health.

• Attend school and obtain an education.

• Participate in the workforce.

• Achieve economic independence.

• Experience more stable relationships.

• Raise healthier families.

Activity:

Below are two instances in which a woman died due to the ban on abortions in parts of the United States. These two stories showcase how necessary abortions are for women's health, and how by banning abortions, it is more than an infringement on reproductive rights; it is causing deaths in the female population.

Please read through these two articles from The Guardian and ProPublica. After reading these articles, discuss with the class how these articles showcase the importance of female reproductive rights and leaving the CHOICE up to women. 

Lesson 2: Sex Education

This next section of reproductive health focuses on sex education. Access to sex education is limited, especially in marginalized communities, leading to women and girls making uninformed decisions about their sexual life and sexual health. This could lead to health complications and unwanted pregnancies that change the outcome of their lives. 

Here we provide you with a safe sex lesson to teach your class. It will cover how to have safe sex and what to do when unsafe sex happens.

VOCABULARY

Essential vocabulary needed to understand the lesson. Please present this to the class beforehand.

Sex: When people use their bodies to give and receive sexual pleasure.

STI or Sexually Transmitted Infection: An infection that spreads through sexual contact, like vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Some common STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes.

Condom: A thin covering worn on the penis or inside the vagina during sex to help prevent pregnancy and protect against STIs.

Dental Dam: A thin sheet of latex used during oral sex on a vulva or anus to help prevent the spread of STIs.

Birth Control pills: Daily medicine that helps prevent pregnancy by stopping the female body from releasing eggs. It does not protect against STIs.

HPV: A common virus spread through skin-to-skin sexual contact. Some types can cause genital warts or lead to cancer.

Hepatitis B: A virus that affects the liver and can be spread through sex or contact with infected blood. There is a vaccine to prevent it.

1. Understanding Safe Sex

• Safe sex means using protective measures to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies.

• Methods include condoms, implants, dental dams, birth control pills, and regular STI testing.

• Consent, communication, and respect are key to making sex safe and enjoyable.

2. Risks of Unsafe Sex

• Unprotected sex increases the risk of STI transmission and pregnancy.

• Some common STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, and HPV—many of which can be prevented with safe sex practices.

• People should be aware of their sexual health status by getting tested regularly.

3. What to Do After Unprotected Sex

• Take emergency contraception (such as Plan B) within 72 hours to help prevent pregnancy.

• Get tested for STIs—some infections show no symptoms but can have serious health effects.

• Seek medical advice if symptoms appear or if exposure to an STI is suspected.

• Communicate with partners honestly about sexual health and safety.

• Consider getting the HPV and Hepatitis B vaccines for future protection.

Activity: Safe Sex Scenarios 

Materials Needed:

• Scenario cards (can be written on paper or displayed digitally)

• Group discussion format 

Instructions:

1. Present participants with different sex-related scenarios (listed below).

2. Ask them to identify the risks involved in each situation.

3. Discuss the best actions to take for protection and risk management.

Sample Scenarios + possible answers below:

1. A couple wants to stop using condoms because they’re in a long-term relationship. What should they do before making that decision?

   1. 1. Both get tested for STIs to ensure neither partner unknowingly carries an infection.
         
         

      2. Have an honest conversation about sexual history, monogamy, and expectations.
         
         

      3. Consider other forms of contraception if pregnancy prevention is still a goal (e.g., birth control pills, IUDs, implants).

2. Someone had unprotected sex last night and is worried about pregnancy and STIs. What steps should they take immediately?

   1. Take emergency contraception (Such as Plan B) as soon as possible if pregnancy is a concern — ideally within 72 hours.
      
      

   2. Visit a clinic or doctor for STI testing (some tests may need to wait a few days to be accurate).

3. A person wants to have oral sex but isn’t sure how to protect themselves. What safe sex options are available?

   1. Condoms (flavored ones are available) for oral sex on a penis.

   2. Dental dams (or a cut-open condom or plastic wrap) for oral-vaginal or oral-anal contact.
      
      

   3. Regular STI testing, as some infections (like herpes, HPV, gonorrhea) can be transmitted through oral sex.
      
      

   4. Avoiding oral sex if either partner has open sores, cuts, or signs of infection.

4. Someone is embarrassed to talk to their partner about using protection. How can they start that conversation?

   1. Start by saying it’s about care and respect, not distrust: “I really care about us, and I want us both to be safe.”
      
      

   2. Pick a calm, private moment, not in the heat of the moment.
      
      

   3. Use “I” statements to avoid blame: “I feel more comfortable when we use protection.”
      
      

   4. If nervous, texting or writing it down first can help ease anxiety.
      
      

   5. Remind them it’s normal and shows maturity to talk about protection.

End the lesson by reinforcing that:

• Safe sex is about respect, protection, and informed choices.

• Unprotected sex doesn’t mean panic—it means taking smart follow-up actions.

• Access to healthcare, contraception, and STI testing is essential for sexual well-being.

Reproductive Rights Resources

 © Margaret White 2025