Dialogue on Sex Education in the U.P. College Curriculum (5 October
2007)
U.P. has no policy on Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR)
and many members of society have resisted the provision of sexual health
information for youth. Neither is there any ‘rights based approach’
in the way youth concerns have been addressed so far. The current policy
environment is amenable to only addressing population control and
promoting abstinence for youth, whereas youth SRHR needs to extend far
beyond that. Unfortunately, there is lack of sufficient data available
on youth needs and youth perspectives in Uttar Pradesh.
11 states in India have banned Sex Education from their school
curricula. Uttar Pradesh is a state where a debate is still going on. In
the summer of 2007, teacher associations burned the books with sex
education material. Right-wing party leaders and religious leaders also
opposed sex education. Their stance is that these books carry explicit
material and by teaching students about sex, it is spoiling Indian
culture.
According to a wealth of research carried out in U.P., India and
abroad, close supervision and messages of abstinence are not effective
in preventing premarital partnerships; silence and ignorance do not
protect youth from contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STD) or
unwanted pregnancy; and shame does not heal the mental or physical
damage of sexual abuse. Policy makers and parents alike must be
convinced of the need to focus on enhancing informed choice among
adolescents rather than imposing strict supervision and controls as a
more positive and effective strategy to promote sexual and reproductive
well-being.
The objective of a dialogue on Sex Education was to bring like-minded
people together on the same platform and to devise a state-level
advocacy strategy to reintroduce it to school curriculums. Stakeholders
like representatives from the Health Directorate and Education
Secretariat were invited as Chief Guests, and media representatives, NGO
workers and health service providers were invited as participants. In
preparation for the dialogue, SAHAYOG collected information about the
ongoing debate in 10 states from news clippings, internet and other
resources to analyse the opposing positions in the debate.
International Women’s Day, 8 March, 2008
Through participation in local celebrations, Youth for Change members
learned that by celebrating International Women’s Day they were
joining women from around the globe to honour women's advancement in
society. At the same time, by hearing comments and discussion among
members of their own community, they were informed about the action
required to ensure that women's equality is gained and maintained in all
aspects of life.
In some communities, young girls and their mothers attended
discussions about important women’s health issues such as: female
feticide, safe pregnancy, family planning, violence against women, dowry
and female nutrition and puberty. In other communities, boys and girls
attended meetings that emphasized gender equality and the importance
that both boys and girls participate in education opportunities, games
and events. Throughout the state, youth were able to hear key community
members such as Panchayat, protection officers and police voice their
support for women’s empowerment through speeches, songs and slogans.
Some meetings resulted in declarations and demand letters for better
services and protection of women, and youth witnessed the formal
submission of these letters to district magistrates. |
|
|