Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights - Events
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, 2008Through 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. |
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