Congress corporator Sheetal Mhatre had raised the issue in the corporation meeting that sex education should be imparted to the adolescent students so that they don't fall prey to harmful information from the internet.
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finally decided to impart sex education to Std IX students of all civic schools across the city from next academic year.
While the issue was discussed last year and the civic body was mulling over the implementation, municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta has finally given his nod for the module that will help students to understand the issue in right manner rather than depending on harmful information available over the internet. It will also help students understand the rising number of molestation cases and teenage abortions and how to avoid it.
The civic body already has the health department to go to every school and address issues like menstrual cycle for girls from Std VII to IX. The information is given to the girls about what is menstrual cycle, what measures girls should take during those days and when should they consult doctors.
Congress corporator Sheetal Mhatre had raised the issue in the corporation meeting that sex education should be imparted to the adolescent students so that they don't fall prey to harmful information from the internet.
Mhatre had also pointed out that underage girls are getting pregnant and opting for abortions which is very disturbing. "Corporation, as an authority, can make a difference by imparting sex education in most scientific and correct manner. It can help children understand the mental and physical changes in their body. The information will also help them bring positive change in their life. Civic body should take special session for the age group of 12–19 years for imparting sex education," said Mhatre.
With the civic administration now deciding to address the issue seriously, the health officer (schools) and Mumbai District AIDS Control Society (MDACS) together will take up the sessions for a total of 2.5 lakh girls and boys, separately.
The topics to be covered in detail will be mental and physical changes in adolescence, menstrual cycle, pregnancy and reproduction system, family planning, among others.
Apart from this, under value education session, life skills will also be taught. Students will be trained to think positive in life, how to strike conversation, decision-making, skills on how to 'say no', among other aspects.
Showing serious concern about the increasing cases of molestation in schools, a session will be dedicated to sexual abuse. The topics covered under this subject will be How sexual abuse happens, how child can avoid it, and how and where a child can approach for the help.
Teenage pregnancy and abortions
Grave concerns have been expressed over the issue of teenage pregnancy and abortion. In the year 2014–2015, there was 67 percent rise in abortion cases of girls below the age of 15. Around 31,000 abortions were reported out of which 1,600 abortions were reported of the girls below the age of 19. According to the data gathered by BMC from private hospitals, the number of abortion of girls below 15 years was 111 in 2013–2014, while in 2014 – 2015 the figure went up to 185.
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