To end violence among children, school-based comprehensive sex education is a must. It's high time we change mindsets
Over the past many decades, ignorance and a conscious inhibition to prevent the young generation from accessing correct information have been persistent. While the pre-Internet generation was left on their own to deal with physical and emotional aspects of growing up and starting relationships, the present generations are left to explore the most important aspects of growing up through readily available information over the Internet, which may not always be correct. There can be no denial to the fact that young people are naturally curious about sex and sexuality and it is a right of every young person to receive Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) that facilitates well-informed choices in relationships and sexual lives. Unlike popular myth, CSE does not increase sexual activity, sexual risk-taking behaviuor or STI/HIV infection rates but focuses on young people’s well-being and their ability to make healthy decisions. This involves empowering the young ones, especially girls, so as to address gender norms and power dynamics.
Access to CSE has been a much-debated subject in India ever since the launch of the Adolescent Education Programme (AEP) that was vehemently opposed and immediately banned by almost 12 States, some of which had the highest adolescent fertility and gender-based violence rates. Access to sexual and reproductive health services and information for the young people is largely governed by the crude dichotomy of married and unmarried. A recent report by UNICEF (2018) said that there has been a significant drop in the number of child marriage in India but the country also accounts for the highest number of child marriages. In addition, the fourth National Family Health Survey (NFHS 4) reflected that 33.6 per cent of India’s population is born of adolescent pregnancies. Yet, owing to cultural and social barriers, our decision-makers do not support full implementation of CSE. Are our young ones too young for sex education but old enough for marriage? The struggles of the young ones who are forced into child marriage or those who face reproductive or sexual health-related issues can be prevented manifolds just by ensuring timely and correct information. At present, there is no mandate for a compulsory curriculum for sexual education, which makes it difficult to monitor its progress. The attitude of teachers and trainers is another challenge in providing whatever limited information made available. The lack of skills and personal inhibition to talk about sensitive subjects such as relationships, lack of encouragement to question prevailing social and cultural norms that support unequal gender and power structures, often leads to violence.
The absence of sex education and counseling increases the risk of acquiring Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and even HIV among the young and adolescent. Estimates from NFHS 4 suggest that around 31 per cent of India’s AIDS burden is contributed by young population between 15-24 years. Growing sexual aggression accompanied by the absence of CSE further increases vulnerability of young people, especially girls. Growing number of cases of gender-based violence and child abuse are becoming chronic issues and it is an indicator of a systemic failure and existing mechanisms to promote gender equality. High-quality, age-appropriate, and evidence-based comprehensive sexuality education is the only true, long-term solution to end gender-based violence. Sexual violence doesn’t start with rape but is any kind of violence or aggression that is sexual in its expression or intention. This includes coercion within and outside relationships, withholding affection or threatening violence until unwanted sex is agreed to, abuse of power for sexual ends, forced sexual touching, et al. What we need is stronger preventive strategies which include an education system that promotes health and well-being, respect for human rights and gender equality, and empowers children and young people to lead safe lives.
UNESCO’s International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education outlines the key concepts, topics and learning objectives to help education, health, and other relevant authorities to develop and implement sexuality education programmes. There are also several other guidelines and toolkits from various Government, UN and international organisations for the implementation of CSE in different settings. All we need is a commitment from national and local authorities to recognise the importance of CSE, strong monitoring and feedback mechanisms for teachers and students as well as a well-funded programme.
(The writer is a Senior technical advisor - Advocacy and Accountability, International Planned Parenthood Federation - South Asia Regional Office)