In a significant move to safeguard children from sexualization, the Sejm, the lower house of the Polish parliament, has given its support to proceed with a new citizens’ bill known as “Let’s protect children.” The draft legislation, registered in parliament in April, aims to prevent the sexualization of minors and enhance parental rights in opposing undesirable content targeted at their children by external entities, including associations operating within educational institutions.

The bill, which garnered 100,000 signatures from concerned citizens to enter the parliamentary consideration, successfully passed a crucial vote on Friday night, with 242 lawmakers in favour, 207 opposing, and one abstention, dismissing the opposition parties’ motion to reject the proposed amendment to the Education Law. The next step for the bill is review and deliberation by the Sejm’s Education, Science, and Youth Committee.

Supported by Sejm Speaker Elżbieta Witek, the legislation has drawn support from the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, as well as Confederation and Kukiz 15 parties during its first reading. It stipulates the exclusion of institutions attempting to promote issues related to the sexualization of children within kindergartens and primary schools. Instead, the draft emphasizes that qualified teaching staff should be responsible for the elements of sexual education for children and youth, without involvement from external entities.

PiS MP Mirosława Stachowiak-Różecka emphasized that only trained teachers should be responsible for educating children within the school system, dismissing the involvement of external educators. Meanwhile, MP Grzegorz Braun from Confederation expressed full support for the bill, stating their group’s intention to protect children from undesirable influences.