The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
At sexual literacy session, school students recount instances of harassment
The 180-minute session on Sexual Literacy, called ‘Aao Baat Karein’, was organised in two classrooms at a government school by the DCPCR and an NGO
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AROUND 9 am on Wednesday, about100studentsfromclasses IX and XI lined up in two separate groups for a discussion on a range of topics that are still considered taboo — from normalising talking about one’s own body, good and bad touch, conversations about sex and the concept of consent.
The 180-minute session on Sexual Literacy, called ‘Aao Baat Karein’, was organised in two classrooms at a government schoolbythedelhicommission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) along with NGO Parwarish Cares Foundation.
With the girls seated on the left and the boys on the right, 28-year-old Aman Kumar, the coordinator of the session, beganbysaying,“it’smybodyand it is my right” — emphasising why it’s important for one to be fully aware of their bodies.
In a bid to break the ice and get students talking, he said: “Youareallscientistsheretoday and scientists don’t laugh when they talk about their own bodies... you might feel uncomfortable talking about these issues today but please, put such thoughts aside.”
Intheclassofabout70ninthgraders, morethanhalf saidthis was the first time they had ever hadaninteractionon“sexualliteracy”. Several students also came forward to share a few instances of abuse or harassment they faced.
Said a 16- year- old girl, “There were many things that I wasn’t aware of. I got to learn that from this session. While I was learning about good and bad touch, I recollected an incident from a few months ago... I was at a park next to the house where my mother used to work (as a domestic help), waiting for her to take me home... I had to use the washroom in the park and remember that a few boys were teasing me. I walked past them silently back then, but now I know how to say no and save myself from such situations. I could only share this incident with my friends... I could not even tell my mother about it... I was scared to share it with her.”
A class IX student shared how her younger sister was harassedbyafewmeninherstreet, a year ago. “Now I will teach my siblings what I have learned in this session. I will teach them howitisimportanttofirmlysay ‘No’ and be safe and take care of ourselves no matter how old or young one is,” she said.
Several boys expressed how the session created menstruation awareness among them.
“Igottheopportunitytotalk aboutthingsatthesession, that I can never share with my parents. We got to understand the concepts of menstruation and reproductive systems and learned that there is nothing shameful about it. It is natural,” said a Class XI student.
The session ended with a practice session on saying ‘NO’, wherekumargaveeachstudent an opportunity to scream the word at the top of their voice.
The awareness session is among nine held at seven Delhi government schools in Northwest B1 and B2 districts, starting October 12.
It has so far reached out to about 600 Delhi government school students.
“We have divided the information in these sessions as per age...,” saidkumar, whohasbeen holding sessions on sex education, pubertalchangesandchild sexual abuse for about eight years now.
“Post these sessions, a few studentsreachouttouspersonally with issues they have faced andweconveythattotheschool principals and request school counsellorstotakecareofthem... In extreme cases, the DCPCR intervenes and provides the requiredcaretostudents,” Kumar, who is with the NGO, added.