Sex and Sexuality Education
This initiative aims to provide comprehensive sexuality education to a diverse range of groups in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, including children aged 6-17, college students, the corporate sector, media houses, government officials, and teachers. We will achieve this through hosting workshops, seminars, and educational programs, designing and implementing customized curricula for facilitators, and offering certification courses in Sex and Sexuality Education to cater to the specific needs of the community.
Why?
Reports from the government indicate a significant increase in sexual abuse cases involving children in a rapidly modernizing city. Presently, sexuality education efforts lack a unified strategy, taking place as individual silos.
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Recent data reveals that police stations receive at least one complaint per day under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POSCO) Act, with 239 complaints received in 2020 and 435 in 2021, representing an almost 80% increase in the number of complaints. This underscores the urgent need for intervention.
Additionally, in 2020, 58% of women in developing countries reported facing online abuse and harassment. While the increase in numbers could be attributed to improved awareness and reporting, we believe that a robust educational foundation and support infrastructure are necessary to address these societal issues effectively.
Presently, sexuality education efforts lack a unified strategy, taking place as individual silos. Hence, it is essential to develop a comprehensive strategy that promotes awareness of sexuality education and abuse prevention within the community.
How ?
ECTE in partnership with its collaborators has identified a pilot project for tackling sexual abuse prevention and sexuality education with the goal of setting a standard for other organizations, institutions, and local legislation to address the critical issues of abuse, harassment, and awareness in the city.
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Research: Sexuality education and awareness are complex and multifaceted issues that require addressing various physical, emotional, and social aspects in an age-appropriate and culturally sensitive manner. Additionally, ECTE is collaborating with organizations in Chennai to establish a resource center for studying and researching sexuality education.
Engage: To effectively implement sexuality education, we are engaging with a diverse range of organizations, institutions, and subject matter experts such as doctors, health advocates, and community leaders.
Develop: The development of a pilot curriculum with various modules for different age groups is currently underway. The curriculum is designed to be comprehensive and based on the latest research and best practices.
Implement: The curriculum will be implemented through various initiatives, including courses, workshops, and independent study programs for students and educators of participating organizations. For more information on ongoing events and workshops, visit our Get Involved page.
Who ?
The success of this initiative depends on the involvement of various organizations and individuals who bring diverse skills, perspectives, and resources to the table. For this particular initiative, check out our collaborators.