Education
WORLD AIDS DAY- Ending The Stigma Around HIV/AIDS through Sex Education in Schools
In the vibrant tapestry of education, there exists a transformative force often relegated to the sidelines of comprehensive sex education. As we celebrate a year of embracing openness and understanding, the time is ripe to confront the enduring stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS.
HIV/AIDS, once shrouded in whispers, continues to suffer beneath the weight of myths and misinformation, impacting millions globally. Education, beyond being a conduit for facts, serves as a bastion of empathy, capable of dismantling barriers and dispelling fallacies. Embedding sex education in school curricula emerges as a guiding light, steering the younger generation toward a future free from the chains of ignorance. “The stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS affects our entire community, hindering access to information, testing, and treatment. As members of the school community, we can reshape this narrative. By educating ourselves about HIV/AIDS—its transmission, prevention, and dispelling myths—we wield knowledge as a powerful tool against stigma. Fostering open dialogue creates a non-judgmental space, supporting those affected by HIV/AIDS.”– Anju Luthra, Deputy Director- The Lexicon Schools.
At its core, comprehensive sex education transcends biology, embracing discussions on consent, healthy relationships, and the power of empathy. By nurturing emotional intelligence, students become advocates for change, challenging societal norms and shattering stigmas that surround HIV/AIDS. This education becomes a beacon, guiding informed individuals into adulthood, and shaping broader attitudes that echo understanding and acceptance. “Leveraging technology for social media campaigns and creating safe spaces for discussions further contributes to destigmatizing HIV/AIDS. Together, through education and awareness, we can dismantle prejudices and foster a society that is well-informed, empathetic, and committed to eradicating the stigmas.”– Dr Jayanthi Ranjan, Dean Academics, Sharda University.
Lack of sex education can lead to unrealistic expectations of sex when children grow up. What they see on the internet is often fabricated and not really how it works in real life. Sex education can help children understand the diversity of sexual orientations, preferences, and expressions, and respect the choices and consent of others. It can also help them develop healthy relationships and communication skills with their partners.
Sexual health is just as important for teens as it is for adults. They need to be aware of intimate hygiene and healthy sexual practices, such as using condoms, getting tested for sexually transmitted infections, and seeking medical help when needed. Unhealthy sexual practices can lead to irreversible damage to a child’s physical and mental well-being, such as unwanted pregnancies, abortions, infections, trauma, or depression.
“According to the National Family Health Survey 5 (2019-21), more than 4/5th of girls aged 15-19 and 9/10th of boys of the same age group had heard about HIV / AIDS. However, only half of them had the knowledge that using condoms and having only one partner was key to reducing the risk of being infected with HIV / AIDS. Only 0.9% of girls aged 15-19 and 4.0% of boys of that age reported having sex with someone they were not married to or living within the past year. What this data suggests is that awareness is but the first step and that attitudes, skills, and behaviors related to sex need to be discussed with adolescents to impact their behaviors meaningfully.” Said Dr Anand Lakshman, Founder & CEO, AddressHealth.
Indian parents often refrain kids from watching anything remotely intimate in their vicinity, thinking that it will protect them from the influence of sex. However, this does not stop the kids from watching it in private, without any guidance or supervision. Instead of shying away from the topic, families need to start having open conversations with kids about sex and sexuality and provide them with reliable and age-appropriate resources. A good example of this is the Netflix show Sex Education, which depicts the struggles and experiences of teenagers and their parents humorously and realistically.
Recognizing the diverse nature of classrooms today, inclusive sex education becomes a force for breaking down walls of prejudice. Respecting cultural differences and incorporating LGBTQ+ perspectives into the curriculum ensures that no student feels marginalized. By championing inclusivity, sex education becomes a transformative power against the shadows of ignorance surrounding HIV/AIDS.
Yet, integrating sex education faces its challenges, notably resistance from conservative viewpoints. Advocacy for evidence-based, age-appropriate content becomes crucial, requiring collaboration between educators, parents, and health professionals. Navigating these challenges ensures a holistic approach that caters to the unique needs of each community. “It is crucial to create an awareness that understanding and empathy are the antidotes to prejudice. Empower young individuals to be advocates for HIV/AIDS awareness.”– Dr. Kalpana Gangaramani, Managing Director, Target Publications, Pvt. Ltd.
As we mark a year of enlightened education, let our classrooms resonate with understanding, dispelling the shadows of ignorance surrounding HIV/AIDS. By championing comprehensive sex education, we pave the way for a future unburdened by the weight of stigma, where knowledge empowers and a world where HIV/AIDS is understood, not feared, is within reach.
“In our ongoing commitment to learner’s holistic development, at Chaman Bhartiya School, we have integrated comprehensive sex education into our curriculum to combat HIV-AIDS stigma. This proactive step aims to provide accurate information, promote healthy attitudes, and foster a safe space for discussions. By equipping our middle-year students with knowledge and understanding, we hope to break down misconceptions and eliminate the stigma surrounding HIV-AIDS.” Said Nishita Israni, Vice Principal, Chaman Bhartiya School when asked about how institutions are incorporating these changes.
According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, over 50% of people harbor negative and discriminatory attitudes towards those living with HIV. The severe effects on mental and physical health, economic stability, and access to care necessitate a call to action.
HIV stigma and discrimination act as barriers to testing, prevention, and treatment services. Education emerges as a potent HIV-prevention tool, empowering young people with the skills, attitudes, and values needed to combat HIV-related stigma.
Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) emerges as a key component, covering human development, relationships, gender identity, and HIV prevention. Despite its transformative potential, CSE often faces resistance, necessitating a collective effort to overcome obstacles.
Policies reducing stigma and discrimination are pivotal to ending the HIV epidemic by 2030. Talking about the resistance from educators for sex education, Lt Col A Sekhar (R) Principal, Hyderabad Public School said, “Sex education is, now, less of an educational issue, much more a socio-cultural challenge with the patriarchal society resisting sensibly balanced, grounded learning big time in the name of ‘tradition’.” Taking into consideration that, in our society, patriarchy is the root cause of many such stigmas and issues we discuss. And the solutions we seek, lie within us.