The Hindu : National : Opposition to sex education blind, says AIDWA

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Thursday, Jul 19, 2007
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Opposition to sex education blind, says AIDWA

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The All-India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) On Wednesday criticised the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh-affiliated Shiksha Bachao Andolan Samiti’s opposition to introduction of sex education in schools. At a time when more and more facts were coming to light about sexual attacks on adolescents at home, school and in public places, they should get the requisite knowledge to recognise and ward off such misdemeanour, the AIDWA said in a statement here.

It was also essential for young people to know about reproductive processes in a society where this knowledge might not be available to them in their homes.

The Samiti displayed its patriarchal mindset, turning a blind eye to the insecurities and dangers that adolescents, especially young girls, faced in a society where sexual abuse, violence and trafficking had become rampant.

By reacting to sex education as if were some kind of pornography and by not accepting social realities which were the real obscenities, the Samiti was only strengthening status quo.

“It is unfortunate that its regressive thinking is finding an echo among some sections who should certainly know better.”

The AIDWA called upon all democratic-minded men and women to support the demand for scientific sex education to be provided responsibly to adolescents.

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