Thursday, 1 November 2007

Young People Speak Out at the 4th APCRSHR

YOUNG PEOPLE SPEAK OUT AGAINST SEX-ED BAN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HYDERABAD 31 OCTOBER 2007

As young people attending the 4th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights, we strongly protest the ban against sex education recently imposed by 12 Indian State Governments.

The ban opposes the training tools used under Adolescent Education Programme developed by the Union Ministry of Education along with NACO and UNICEF.

This ban violates our right to information, right to education, right to health under the Indian Constitution and breaches India's international commitments under UN treaties and declarations.

Young people need comprehensive sexuality education so that they are empowered to make informed decisions relating to their bodies without fear, shame or guilt. Given the right information and skills, young people can negotiate high-risk situations more effectively and reduce their vulnerability to violence, HIV and substance abuse.

Arguments based on culture or morality, such as those made by the Chief Minister of the State of Madhya Pradesh, are invalid and do not justify denying young people the information and skills they need and are entitled to.

Comprehensive sexuality education does not 'corrupt young minds' but that the lack of information leads young people to access false, incomplete and harmful information.


The YP Foundation supports this statement. Please check the following links for more information:


http://clipmarks.com/clipmark/92CFB6DD-72F9-48EC-A93F-7B80185B38DD/

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39869

http://www.4apcrsh.org/media/For_Tribune.pdf

http://in.news.yahoo.com/071031/43/6mmyk.html

http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20071031/809411.html

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20071101/nation.htm#10

http://www.newkerala.com/oct.php?action=fullnews&id=15857

http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/01/stories/2007110155671100.htm

http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Oct312007/national2007103133391.asp?section=updatenews

http://www.headlinesindia.com/education/index.jsp?news_code=61256

http://www.indiaedunews.net/In-focus/October_2007/Sex_education_is_our_basic_right-_youth_group_2359/

http://newspostindia.com/report-21256

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