#SexEdPL: Anja Rubik’s Campaign for Sex Education in Poland

Anja Rubik was born as Anna Helena Rubik under Polish sky in the south of the country, more precisely in Częstochowa. Her career in the fashion world began early and steadily increasing. At 15 she went to Milan, at 17 to Paris and after graduating from high school to New York. What sounds like the start of a dream career is merely the exciting life of Anja Rubik. She is still regarded as Karl Lagerfeld’s muse, was chosen as an industry icon by the platform models.com in 2010 and has a long list of customers for whom she has regularly worked as a catwalk, photo or advertising face.

In 2017 Rubik started the #sexedpl campaign, which advocated more sex education in Poland. Polish celebrities joined Rubik and told about their own sexual experiences via #sexedpl. The campaign had a very wide reach and achieved over 10 million clicks.

„I grew up in a Poland where sex is taboo, sex education is non-existent and most teenagers are fed misleading or downright false information at school — including that masturbation is a sin, homosexuality is an illness that should be treated, and that taking your temperature is the best method of birth control.“

But Anja is not only a successful model; she is also a powerful activist. She started the #sexedpl campaign in 2017, which aimed to advocate for more sex education in Poland. The campaign was widely embraced by Polish celebrities, who shared their own sexual experiences via #sexedpl. The campaign had a reach of over 10 million clicks, which made it one of the most successful campaigns of its kind.

Anja Rubik’s activism is rooted in her own experiences. She grew up in Poland, where sex is considered a taboo subject. Sex education is virtually non-existent, and most teenagers are fed misleading or downright false information at school. This includes being taught that masturbation is a sin, homosexuality is an illness that should be treated, and that taking your temperature is the best method of birth control. These beliefs and the lack of sex education have contributed to making sex-related issues one of the most significant public health concerns in Poland.

Anja Rubik is a model, an icon, and an activist, all rolled into one. Her advocacy for sex education in Poland is a testament to her commitment to making the world a better place, particularly for young people. Her career in fashion continues to inspire young women worldwide. She is a symbol of beauty, intelligence, and activism, and her impact in these areas cannot be overemphasized.