SEX EDUCATION IN INDIA

A SUBJECT THAT NEED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION​

Presented
by
INDRANIL DUTTA (1372)
 CONTENT
• INTRODUCTION • CULTURE AND PERSPECTIVE ON
• NEED FOR SEX EDUCATION SEXUALITY​
• AWARENESS • SURVEY AND RECHARCH​
• UNDERSTANDING ABOUT HUMAN • AGE APPROPRIATE SEX EDUCATION FOR
REPRODUCTION CHILDREN​
• CONTRACEPTION AND SAFE SEX • SEX EDUCATION IN INDIAN SCHOOL​
PRACTCTICES • SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAM​
• GUILT IN CHILDREN • ROLES OF TEACHER AND STUDENTS​
• HAVING RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER • PARENTAL AND COMMUNITY
• HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AND CONSENT INVOLVEMENT​
• MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SEX EDUCATION • CONCLUSION​
INTRODUCTION

It is high quality teaching and

learning about a broad variety
of topics related to sex and
sexuality. It explores values
and beliefs about those topics
and helps people gain the
skills that are needed to
navigate relationships with
self, partners, and
community, and manage
one's own sexual health
NEED FOR SEX EDUCATION
According to United Nation Population Fund, Sexual Education, "aims to
advance and strengthen the ability of children and young people to make
conscious, satisfying, healthy and respectful choices concerning
relationships, sexuality and emotional and physical health"

Public Health Impact Empowerment and Consent Social and Emotional Well being

Comprehensive sex It empowers individuals to Enhances emotional well-

education plays a pivotal role assert their sexual rights and being by promoting healthy
in preventing unintended fosters a culture of mutual relationships and addressing
pregnancies and reducing the respect and consent. societal stigmas and taboos.
spread of sexually transmitted
infections.
 AWARENESS
• The POCSO Act provides for a variety of
offences against the children under which an
accused can be punished. Offences under
the act include:
• Penetrative Sexual Assault: Insertion of
penis/object/another body part in child's
vagina/urethra/anus/mouth, or asking the
child to do so with them or some other
person

5
AWARENESS
• Sexual Assault: When a person
touches the child, or makes the
child touch them or someone else​

• Sexual Harassment: passing

sexually colored remark, sexual
gesture/noise, repeatedly
following, flashing, etc.
AWARENESS GOOD
• Sexual Assault: When a person TOUCH
touches the child, or makes the child • Good touch comes from
the bottom of our hearts
touch them or someone else​​ with feelings of love and
emotions.
• Sexual Harassment: passing sexually • Good touch always helps
colored remark, sexual us to grow stronger and
gives us the confidence to
gesture/noise, repeatedly achieve something.
• Good touch makes us
following, flashing, etc. feel protective and safe.

• Child Pornography​
• But the child is not aware of these
offences because of lack of Sex
Education.​
 • Biological Processes
UNDERSTAN Exploration of the biological
DING processes of fertilization, embryonic
development, and childbirth​.
ABOUT • Fertility and Family Planning
Understanding fertility cycles and
HUMAN family planning methods to make
REPRUDUCTI informed reproductive choices.
• Genetic Inheritance
ON Insights into genetic inheritance and the
transmission of traits from parents to
offspring.
CONTRACEPTION AND SAFE
SEX PRACTICES
• Methods of Contraception

Exploration of various contraceptive methods and their effectiveness in preventing unintended

pregnancies and STIs . Through sex education, teenagers can be taught about different aspects of
sexuality like Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Teenage Unintended Pregnancies, and Hormonal and
Emotional impacts of Sex etc.

• Promoting Safe Practices

Educating on the importance of using protection during sexual activities to ensure sexual health
and well-being Overall, there has not been much improvement in teenage pregnancy, as
mentioned in the 2017 National Family Health Survey-4 to the latest National Family Health
Survey-5.Studies show that sexually aware teens are more likely to say no to unprotected sex.​
GUILT IN CHILDREN
Puberty induces changes in the bodies of teens and give rise to sexual desires like
masturbation.
This is all because of the biological changes and is beyond their control.
It is even healthy for them to have this change.
But Teens carry Moral guilt in them for the desires that arouse in them because
of this natural phenomenon.
This Guilt feeling affects their psyche and their everyday life.
A sexually aware child is more likely to avoid such guilt and cope up with the
natural change happening in his body more positively.
HAVING RESPECT
FOR EACH​
• A Sexually aware child tends to be more respectful towards others.
OTHER • They know their boundaries which is first step towards respecting their
boundaries.
• Also, a sexually aware child is much more receptive to others who
identify themselves beyond conventional lines of sexuality- like
Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals etc.
• The chances are that instead of being judgy and disrespectful to others
for their sexual orientations, they accept them respectfully.
• Reports suggest that Sexually Aware children tend to perform better in
their academics as well.
• Moreover, they are more likely to open up to their parents and families
and if they are facing any kind of sexual violence and get timely help.
Freedom from
• Infact they are least prone to be sexual offenders.
• Their married life also prospers if they are imparted timely sexual
information.
• One can easily conclude that they lead a healthy and a quality life.
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP AND CONCENT
• Building Healthy Relationships
Emphasizing the principles of mutual respect, communication, and trust in fostering healthy
and positive relationships.​

• Understanding Consent
Clarifying the concept of consent and the importance of mutual agreement in intimate
relationships to prevent coercion and abuse.

• Emotional Well-being
Promoting emotional well-being through open communication, understanding, and
conflict resolution in relationships.
 SEX
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT
EDUCATION

1. Many people think teaching children sex education is equivalent to permitting them
to engage in sexual intercourse, which is not true.

2. Since only women get periods and get pregnant so sex education is only for women.

3. Sex education is an attempt by MNCs to sell condoms and contraceptives.

4. Sex education is topic for adults to discuss

CULTURAL AND SOCIETAL PERSPECTIVES ON SEXUALITY
Social Taboos and Stigmas

Conversations around sex and sexuality is a taboo in India Hence, the lack of discussion
around this area in families or in schools, compels children to seek answers elsewhere, and
receive half backed information which is detrimental to their physical as well as mental health
and even to their future. As a result there is a steady rise in sex- related crimes against
children and by children. In 2021, a total of 33,348 incidents were registered under Sections 4
and 6 (punishment for penetrative sexual assault and aggravated penetrative sexual assault)
of the POCSO Act. Examining the diversity of cultural perspectives on sexuality and
understanding how these impact sexual norms and behaviors and addressing societal taboos
and stigmas related to sexuality and advocating for open dialogue and understanding can
changa the cultural and societal perspectives on sexuality.
SURVEY AND RECHARCH

• A study commissioned by the Indian

Ministry of Women and Children
Development and carried out by
Ministry of
UNICEF and Prayas a non-governmental Women and Child
Organization, interviewed 12,247 Development
children and 2324 young adults in 13 Government of India
Indian states.

• The study revealed that a shocking 53%

of children. between the ages of 5 and
12 have been sexually abused.
AGE APPROPRIATE SEX EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN

• No one 'grand talk' at a particular age is sufficient, It's a continuous process

which starts at early age and continues till at least teen ages.

• Till the age of six, a child is predominantly learning from her family,
especially from her parents.

• At this age parents should impart her knowledge of basic concepts like actual
names of sexual organs.

• A major focus for this age group is learning about boundaries and what is and
isn't appropriate when it comes to touching-or being touched-by other people
ie. what is Good Touch and Bad Touch.
Between the Age of 6 to 10
• Some girls experience menstruation at the age of nine, parents should take the
initiative of telling their daughters how menstruation is normal and a sign of
becoming a complete woman.
• Similarly, parents should tell their sons about nocturnal emissions.
• Children of eight years or older begin to understand a lot through TV and the internet
or from company at schools. It becomes the parents' responsibility to monitor their
children's sexual behaviour and to provide them with appropriate information on
how to safely explore digital spaces
• Establish rules around talking to strangers and sharing photos online, as well as what
to do if your child comes across something that makes her feel uncomfortable
• Children often ask the question, how were they born? But unfortunately, many
parents tend to avoid answering it.
Children older than 10 to 15 years

• By the age of 11, parents should start conversations

about sexual choices and safer sex

• Some experts suggest that the incidents of sexual

assaults etc. that appear in the daily newspaper should
be discussed with the family at breakfast or tea. So that
even the little ones will be alert when they hear it.

• Chat about internet safety and to build on your already

established digital rules and values. For example, talk
frankly about how sharing nude or sexually explicit
photos of themselves or their peers may be illegal.
Interact with children over 15 years of age

• By the age of 15, children are more intelligent.

• At this age, they also develop their own understanding.

• In such cases, it is important to understand the thinking of the children as well as

educate them about sexually transmitted diseases like HIV etc.
SEX EDUCATION IN INDIAN SCHOOL
An attempt was made to provide sex education in India by introducing new curriculum in 2007
which included covered this topic. Ministers, parents, and many different groups of people
raised concerns and even threatened teachers with violence. About 13 states, including
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh banned sex education in their respective states. But we
should address the problem in our society and try to make a change.

We can enforce sex education by addressing challenges and opposition through this
following below:

Curriculum Integration
Addressing the integration of comprehensive sex education into school curricula at differe educational
levels.

Teacher Training and Resources

Ensuring adequate training and resources for educators to deliver accurate and inclusive sex education
in schools.
 • Overcoming Stigma and Resistance​
Strategies to address societal resistance and stigma regarding​sex education
through advocacy and evidence-based approaches.​
• Political and Policy Considerations
​ nalyzing the political and policy landscape to navigate challenges and
A

SEX promote supportive frameworks for sex education.

• Engaging Stakeholders​

EDUCATION Engaging diverse stakeholders, including policymakers,

educators, and community leaders, to address challenges and

IN garner support.
• Overcoming Stigma and Resistance​

INDIAN Strategies to address societal resistance and stigma regarding sex

education through advocacy and evidence based approaches.​

SCHOOL • Political and Policy Considerations

Analyzing the political and policy landscape to navigate challenges
and promote supportive frameworks for sex education.​
• Engaging Stakeholders​
Engaging diverse stakeholders, including policymakers,
educators, and community leaders, to address​
Challenges and garner support.
SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAM
Under Ayushman Bharat, the Government of India launched the School
Health Program in 2018. It is a joint collaborative program of the Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Human Resource
Development. In early 2020, NCERT released the 'Health and Wellness
Curriculum' for the program. It included everything right from education
about puberty, menstruation, good touch, and bad touch, safe sexual
behaviors, nutrition to mental health.
 Under the programme teachers
act as "Health and Wellness
Ambassadors" and disseminate
ROLES OF information by organizing
activity based sessions for one
TEACHER week for 24 weeks in a year to
S promote joyful learning.

AND Further, the students act as

STUDENT Health and Wellness
Messengers in the society.
And every Tuesday is dedicated
as Health and Wellness Day in
the schools.
 Role of Parents
Highlighting the importance of parental
PARENTAL involvement in fostering open communication
and providing guidance on sexual health

AND
education.

Community Support Systems

COMMUNIT Building and strengthening community support

Y structures to ensure comprehensive sex

education outside of formal educational
settings.
INVOLVEME Inclusive Family Values
NT Promoting inclusive family values and
encouraging families to engage in conversations
around sexuality and sexual health.
 CONCLUSION

• The importance of comprehensive sex education is to empower youth and

communities to make informed decisions about their sexual health.

• Government have to highlighting the contribution of comprehensive sex

education in advancing public health outcomes and reducing disparities.

• Governments and Private institutions should make use of enabling policies of the
Central Government and should not hesitate from discussing the subject
comprehensively.

• Parents should leave behind the dogmas attached to the subject and come out
openly on the subject with their kids.

• We have to emphasize the need for continuing advocacy and progress in

promoting inclusive and comprehensive sex education globally.
Thankyou