People's Democracy

AIDWA Criticises Opposition To Sex Education

The following is the text of the press statement issued by AIDWA on July 18, 2007

The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) expresses its strong criticism of the RSS-affiliated Shiksha Bachao Andolan Samiti's latest diatribe against the provision of sex education for adolescents in schools. At a time when more and more facts are coming to light about the sexual attacks of various kinds faced by adolescents at home, in schools and in the public sphere, the need for them to be given the requisite knowledge to recognise and ward off such advances is very necessary. It is also essential for young people to have access to knowledge about their own bodies and reproductive processes in a society where this may not be available to them in their own homes.

The Andolan Samiti has displayed its reactionary and patriarchal mindset by turning a blind eye to the many insecurities and dangers that adolescents, especially young girls face in a society where sexual abuse, violence and trafficking have become rampant. By reacting to sex education as if that was some kind of pornography that would corrupt society and by not accepting social realities that are the real obscenities, the Samiti is only strengthening the status quo. It is unfortunate that its regressive thinking is finding an echo among some sections who should certainly know better.

AIDWA demands and calls upon all democratic-minded men and women to support the demand for scientific sex education to be provided in a sensitive and responsible fashion to young Indian adolescents. (INN)