In India and across the globe, discussions around sex and the reproductive body remain highly stigmatized and are typically avoided. This cultural taboo leaves parents and teachers largely uncomfortable and unprepared to share relevant information with children and youth. As a result, sexuality education for adolescents is virtually non-existent, whether at school or at home. Teenagers are curious and searching for answers. When answers are not provided by the adults in their lives, they then turn to the internet and their friends for information, which may or may not be reliable. Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is a vital and progressive approach that addresses the complex sexual and reproductive health and rights needs of adolescents and young people. Unlike traditional sex education, which focuses solely on basic reproductive biology, CSE offers a holistic and age-appropriate curriculum that encompasses diverse dimensions of human sexuality, relationships, and well-being, including emotional, psychological, sociocultural and political aspects.
In this panel discussion, students and teachers from Study Hall Education Foundation will discuss why they believe CSE is a critical piece of a person’s education, and should be included in the school curriculum.
