SC advocated inclusion of Sexual Equality in School Curriculum

The Supreme Court of India addressed a petition regarding the rising incidents of crimes against women, including rape, and emphasized the importance of moral education and sexual equality as part of school curricula to address these issues.

Key Points from the Court's Observations

• Moral and Ethical Education in Schools: Schools should teach moral education and ethics, particularly focusing on how men should respect women and treat them equally. This kind of education should be a mandatory part of the school syllabus from an early age.
  • Currently, while some schools offer moral education, it is often skipped or canceled, and it should become a regular part of the curriculum.
• Sexual Equality from the Home: Discrimination between boys and girls often begins at home. Parents sometimes focus on restricting daughters' freedoms while not imposing similar expectations on sons.
• Women, who make up 50% of the population, continue to live under significant strain and insecurity. There is a growing misogynistic attitude towards them, and education is needed to change this mindset.

Key Factors Contributing to Sexual Violence in India

• Gender Inequality & Cultural Traditions: Male superiority and cultural practices (like dowry and purdah) perpetuate gender discrimination and increase the risk of sexual violence.
• Marriage Dynamics: Women in traditional marriages, especially child brides, face sexual violence as husbands often feel entitled to sex, with marital rape not being criminalized.
• Education & Employment: Lack of education and employment opportunities limits women’s autonomy, increasing their vulnerability to violence.
• Male-to-Female Ratio: A skewed sex ratio due to female foeticide leads to increased competition among men, potentially contributing to sexual violence.
• Poverty: Poor women, especially from marginalized castes, are more vulnerable to sexual assault due to financial and social disadvantages.
• Criminal Justice System: Inadequate police investigations, slow trials, and low conviction rates allow offenders to go unpunished, perpetuating sexual violence.

Consequences of Sexual Violence in India

• Stigmatization: Victims and their families face shame and humiliation. Unmarried victims are often rejected by communities, and some are even forced to marry the rapist.
• Mental Health Issues: Victims, particularly of intimate partner violence, often develop depression, anxiety, and PTSD. They are also at a higher risk of suicide, even without mental illness.
• Social Isolation: Married victims may be abandoned, leading to further isolation and suffering.
• Pregnancy & STDs: Rape can lead to unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Unsafe abortions may occur if the victim cannot legally access abortion services.
• HIV Risk: Victims are at higher risk for HIV and other STDs, particularly due to cultural factors that hinder negotiation for protection during sex.
• Loss of Productivity: Sexual violence leads to lost work days, with victims often taking time off or quitting their jobs due to safety concerns.
• Educational Impact: Sexual assault affects educational outcomes, with victims often achieving lower academic and career success, and earning less as adults. Some schools even expel victims.