The Supreme Court emphasized on Monday the need of dispelling myths regarding sexual health and stated that increasing public awareness of the advantages of sex education was crucial to lowering the number of sexual crimes that occur in the nation.
The Supreme Court stated that prevalent misconceptions regarding sex education in India were a factor in the program’s ineffectiveness and limited adoption.
A court made up of Justice J. B. Pardiwala and Chief Justice D. Y. Chandrachud stated that many individuals, including parents and educators, have conservative beliefs that talking about sex is improper, immoral, or embarrassing.
“This societal stigma creates a reluctance to talk openly about sexual health, leading to a significant knowledge gap among adolescents. It is of paramount importance that we begin to address misconceptions around sexual health, and promoting a comprehensive understanding of sex education’s benefits is essential for improving sexual health outcomes and reducing the incidence of sexual crimes in India. This is especially crucial given India’s growing population,” the bench stated.
In a historic ruling, the supreme court determined that downloading and viewing child pornography violates the 2012 Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.
Justice Pardiwala, who penned a 200-page ruling for the court, said one popular misperception was that sex education promoted promiscuity and irresponsible behaviour among youth.
“Critics often argue that providing information about sexual health and contraception will lead to increased sexual activity among teenagers. However, research has shown that comprehensive sex education actually delays the onset of sexual activity and promotes safer practices among those who are sexually active,” the bench stated.