Sex education is not being systematically incorporated into curricula and even being retrenched, despite indications that parents want this for their kids. Even Karnataka, who has a reputation for being progressive in these issues, is cutting back on sex ed. This state is experimenting with an innovative non-governmental initiative, though, called the ‘Life is Precious’ HIV/AIDS preventive education module. I found this quote particularly poignant:
For 17-year-old Mangala (name changed) of Sri Kongadiyappa College in Bangalore rural district, the initiative was a welcome exercise “where we came to know many unknown concepts which play a very important role in our life”. More importantly, she stresses: “We came to know that we can say ‘no’ to sex if we are not interested.”
Indeed. Unfortunately, as laments the UNAIDS regional director, there has been very little response from civil society on state’s decisions to ban sex education. It seems there is no consensus on how to address these issues, or even the beginning of an effective debate. Hopefully somehow more young women like the one above will still learn how to say no, and more young adults will learn about those very important concepts.
