SucheSex Education and Family Planning
The Federal Institute of Public Health (BIÖG), formerly the Federal Centre for Health Education, is mandated by law - specifically the Pregnancy Conflict Act (Schwangerschaftskonfliktgesetz, SchKG) - to develop concepts and materials for sexuality education and family planning. This mandate is implemented in cooperation with the federal states and representatives of all providers of pregnancy (conflict) counselling centers. The aim is to develop standardized measures nationwide, make them available free of charge and thus strengthen health literacy.
Sexuality is understood as a fundamental human need that is closely linked to a person's identity, well-being and personal development. Comprehensive sexuality education aims to empower people in all phases of life to deal with sexuality in a self-determined, responsible and health-conscious way. This includes not only knowledge about physical processes such as fertility, contraception, pregnancy and birth, but also a reflective approach to feelings, relationships, role models and social norms. Sexuality education therefore makes an important contribution to the prevention of unwanted pregnancies, sexualized violence and sexually transmitted infections, as well as to better sexual and reproductive health overall.
Some of the core tasks of the BIÖG enshrined in law are:
- To provide materials for comprehensive sexuality education
- To provide information on pregnancy, birth and family planning
- To promote contraceptive skills to avoid unwanted pregnancies
- To provide information on abortion (§14 SchKG)
- Information services for pregnant women with abnormal prenatal diagnostic findings, in particular on living with a child with disabilities (§1, para. 1a SchKG)
Information material on sexuality education
Information material on family planning
Internet Offers
The website offers extensive information for multipliers in the areas of sexuality education and family planning. This includes current study and research results, relevant data and an overview of available information materials and other media.
Youth website on love, relationships, sexuality and contraception. With chats, encyclopedia, knowledge games, FAQs, surveys, news and monthly focus topics, young people can interactively expand their knowledge.
The website for teachers, professionals and parents offers extensive materials, methods and worksheets for sexuality education in and out of school. They can be ordered or downloaded free of charge. The materials and methods finder can be used to search for specific topics and categories. Parents will also find useful information from kindergarten age to puberty.
herzfroh.loveline.de is aimed at teenagers and young adults with learning difficulties. Information about the body, love and sexuality is provided in easy-to-read language. A digital game about friendship and love can also be played on the website.
The familienplanung.de website offers comprehensive information on the most important family planning topics. The information is primarily aimed at adults in different life situations and also addresses, for example, the desire to have children, contraception and pregnancy conflicts. Helpful tools such as the birth date calculator or the online search for a suitable pregnancy counselling center in the vicinity round off the offer. All information is quality-assured and free from commercial interests. The content is continuously updated in collaboration with scientific experts.
Young and facing an unplanned pregnancy. What to do? The website offers information and guidance aimed specifically at teenagers and young adults. They can find out what options they now have and what special counselling and support services are available to them. Young women who are about to become mothers receive important tips on the topics of money, housing, school and vocational training. Young (expecting) fathers can also get information here.
Zanzu.de provides simple and clear information on sexual and reproductive health in 14 languages and with interactive tools. The website thus facilitates communication on these topics in the event of language barriers, for example in a counselling situation.
