Make sex education part of curriculum: Kailash Satyarthi

Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi is in talks with the government to not just implement sex education in the school curriculum but also develop a comprehensive law to fight against evils of child trafficking, abuse, labour etc. He said this when he was in the city to promote the initiative ‘Bharat Yatra’.

Satyarthi said, “If we want to aspire and achieve the goal of nine per cent GDP growth. We need to ensure safe, free and educated childhood for our children.” He added that it is not just a moral issue but it is a much deeper economic issue as well. “Sexual abuse creates trauma, sense of fear, inferiority, uncertainty, insecurity, anxiety. That ruins the potential of the human being. It ruins creativity and productivity of a human being.”

The yatra, which will travel across 22 states in India, will cover 11,000 km. The main one will start at Kanyakumari on September 11. There will be six other rallies from different locations as well, which will culminate in Delhi on October 16. The initiative is a part of the three-year plan of Satyarthi’s foundation— Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation— to fight against evils faced by children.

Apart from policy makers, various religious leaders are also participating in these rallies. “One thing that I have learnt in my many years is that compassion for the children is the only binding force that can bring all faiths together.” Around 27 leaders have join hands in this cause, he revealed.

Commenting on the growing threat through internet, Satyarthi told The Free Press Journal, it is important to include sex education in school curriculum.

“The Indian government is working towards fighting against the evil of child pornography. Apart from the law of the land, there should be some work done by the society as well. It is important to make sex education part of the school curriculum. I am in talks with government for this.”

He also added that there is no harm in knowing your body and rights as a child. It should be the part of the national curriculum in order to fight against such evils.

Satyarthi has also asked government to include child protection, child trafficking, child labour etc in CSR law.

Thus, allowing corporates to contribute as well. Satyarthi's yatra has got support of BSE, Paytm, Godrej and L&T.

“Apart from the law of the land, there should be some work done by the society as well —KAILASH SATYARTHI