India needs comprehensive sexuality education

Source: The post is based on the article “India needs comprehensive sexuality education” published in “The Hindu” on 29th August 2023.

Syllabus: GS2-  Social Issues – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education.

News: In this article, the author talks about the need for thorough sex education in India to stop child abuse. They stress the importance of learning about consent and propose using local languages to explain it. The author also points out that schools, parents, and caregivers have a crucial role in this education.

What is sexual consent?

Sexual consent is a mutual agreement between individuals to engage in any form of intimate activity. It’s essential for maintaining healthy relationships and understanding boundaries.

Consent can be given, asked for, and withdrawn at any point. Many in India, especially teenagers and young adults, may not fully understand this concept.

There’s a need for clear language and education in regional languages to discuss and teach about consent and its significance.

Why is a better understanding of sexual consent important?

Better understanding of sexual consent is important because:

Protection from Abuse: The NCRB reported 51,863 cases under The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act in 2021, emphasizing the need for awareness.

Healthy Relationships: Understanding consent helps maintain respectful and mutual relationships.

Awareness Gaps: A Tinder study showed over 64% of young Mumbaikars hesitated around the concept of giving, asking for, or withdrawing consent.

Legal Implications: High Courts in Madras, Delhi, and Meghalaya have highlighted the frequent criminalization of consensual adolescent relationships, indicating the need for clarity.

Cultural Context: Historically, discussions around consent have been limited in India, making education essential for the diverse population.

Empowerment: Knowledge of consent empowers individuals, promoting their well-being, dignity, and human rights.

What are the challenges of sex education in India?

Challenges of sex education in India include:

Cultural Resistance: Some state governments and societal sections believe it violates “Indian values”.

Misunderstandings: Concerns about it “sexualizing” children have led to watered-down programs.

Language Barrier: Absence of vocabulary in regional languages for discussing concepts like consent.

Teacher Preparedness: UNESCO’s 2021 report indicates teachers often lack knowledge on diverse topics in sex education.

State Discretion: Each state in India can design its own curriculum, leading to varied levels of education quality.

What should be done?

Comprehensive Curriculum: Implement comprehensive sexuality education for children, parents, and caregivers.

Emphasize Consent: Develop clear language, especially in regional languages, to teach about sexual consent.

Early Start: UN global guidance suggests that comprehensive sexuality education should start at the age of five, paired with formal education.

Teacher Training: According to the UNESCO 2021 global status report, there’s a need to enhance teacher capacity to ensure they are equipped to address these diverse topics.

Incorporate NGOs: Models like Jharkhand’s Udaan can be integrated into the main education system.

Holistic Approach: Cover the broad relation between sexual health and human rights, not just legal aspects.