Kerala High Court urges State to include sex education in curriculum of schools and colleges

The Kerala High Court recently urged the State government to seriously consider the need for including safe sex education in the curriculum of schools and colleges..The Court made the observation while disposing of a petition filed by a father to medically terminate the pregnancy of his minor daughter who was impregnated by her own brother. .Justice PV Kunhikrishnan underscored that safe sex education is the need of the hour to avoid this type of embarrassment for the parents.“Nobody can blame the parents. But we the society are responsible for this. Sibling incest may occur in a family system that does not provide a safe environment for its members. But it may also happen because of the lack of knowledge about safe sex. I am of the considered opinion that the Government should seriously think about the necessity of proper ‘sex education’ in schools and colleges ... A good family atmosphere is necessary for the society. To attain this, every citizen of this country should join together without pelting stones at such unfortunate people," the judgment stated..The Court has called for the constitution of a committee, if necessary, to study the issue of including ‘safe sex education’ in the curriculum of schools and colleges.“As I said earlier, this happened because of the lack of knowledge about safe sex. Minor children are in front of ‘internet’ and ‘Google search’. There is no guidance for the children," the Court highlighted..A copy of the order was also directed to be forwarded to the Chief Secretary, State of Kerala for necessary action..Earlier, the Court had initially allowed the medical termination of the minor girl's seven-month pregnancy. However, the Court was informed in the following hearing that the minor girl had delivered a child.Thereafter, the Court directed the Child Welfare Committee to take a decision on the custody of the new born child in accordance with the Juvenile Justice Act.The Child Welfare Committee in turn informed the Court that the newborn child was surrendered to it and that the minor girl was handed over to her uncle..Thus, the Court observed that no more orders were needed in the case and disposed of the matter, while stressing that such incidents should not occur in the State again.“In light of the above orders, I think no further order is necessary. The Child Welfare Committee will take necessary consequential steps in accordance with the law. The protection of the newborn child is the duty of the state. These types of causalities shall not be there in our society in the future. The embarrassment of the parents and the victim girl cannot be imagined," the Court observed. .[Read Judgment]