Startups Like ePsyClinic, YourDOST Help Patients Seek Advice on Mental or Sexual Health Issues
Economic Times, India, 10/31/2016
In India, there has been a recent surge in web-based services that provide mental and sexual health advice. These services are not only filling a need, but raising awareness about mental health and wellness throughout the country. India has ‘woefully low numbers of mental health professionals’, so people are flocking to these convenient, anonymous services.
82,000 Take to Streets for Taipei LGBT Pride Parade
The China Post - Taipei, Taiwan, 10/30/2016
Thousands of people took to the streets of Taiwan to call for the legalisation of same-sex marriage. President Tsai Ing-Wen responded to the parade in a Facebook post that reaffirmed her supportive position on marriage equality. Approximately 5,000 more people attended this year’s parade than last year’s. It is the second-largest pride parade in Asia, behind Tel-Aviv.
‘Sex’ Out of Sex Education
The Telegraph - New Delhi, India, 10/23/2016
The Human Resource Development Ministry has directed an expert panel to remove the word ‘sexual’ from a 220-page policy recommendation on the subject of education. The word appeared twice, in a half-page section detailing the importance of reproductive and sexual health guidance for teens. The section has now been reduced to one sentence. Discussions of sex and sexuality are generally considered to be taboo in India.
Where LGBT Parents ‘Come Out’ About Their Journey of Acceptance
The Hindu - Mumbai, India, 10/23/2016
In Mumbai, parents of LGBT people shared their experiences at a press conference for the film ‘Evening Shadows’. The film is based on the personal experiences of Mr. Shrishar Rangayana, and it narrates the emotional journey of a traditional mother from a south Indian village as she handles the ‘coming out’ of her gay son. ‘Slowly, focus is increasing on LGBT rights, but nobody has spoken about what their parents go through. Sons being closest to their mothers, they become answerable. I think if a man takes about 20 years to realise his sexuality, even parents should be given some time until they can finally accept it because it is different from the traditions they followed,’ Rangayana said.
Flexi Timings, Protection From Sexual Harassment Can Help Millions of Girls Complete Education: UNFPA
The Daily News and Analysis - Mumbai, India, 10/22/2016
Flexible timings, affordable childcare facilities, and protection from sexual harassment on the way to and within schools can help millions of adolescent girls throughout the world complete their school education, says the latest report of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The report strongly recommends comprehensive sexuality education for all girls at the crucial age of 10. ‘This will help in raising the self-esteem of girls but also changes their attitude towards social and gender norms of society,’ says the report.
Gender Rights Activist Shortlisted For International Award
The Times of India - Tamil Nadu, India, 10/21/2016
A 25-year-old gender rights activist from Madurai city has been selected as one of four candidates for the Commonwealth Youth Worker Awards 2016 in the Asia region category. Gopi Shankar, founder of non-funded student volunteer movement Srishti Madurai, has been selected under the category ‘Youth Empowerment Through Sport and Arts’ for his work supporting the rights of children as well as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people. If selected, he will be the first intersex person to receive the honor.
Batam Students Join HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign
The Jakarta Post - Jakarta, Indonesia, 10/20/2016
Roughly 200 high school students in Batam, Riau Islands have joined an anti-HIV and AIDS campaign held by the government to raise awareness about the virus amongst young people. As Campaign Ambassadors, the youths made a pledge on October 19, 2016 to take active steps to prevent themselves from getting infected with HIV and to support those who have been infected, as well as not to engage in stigmatization or discrimination against HIV-positive people.
Taipei Urged to Decriminalize Sex Work
The China Post, Taiwan, 10/20/2016
On October 18, 2016, sex workers and their supporters called for the Taipei City government to legalize prostitution. About a dozen members of the organisation Collective of Sex Workers and Supporters demonstrated outside city hall. The group's secretary, Kuo Pei-Yu, panned Mayor Ko Wen-je for failing to make good on his campaign promise to start a dialogue on prostitution and government-sanctioned red light zones in Taipei. In response to the activists' demands, Taipei City's Police Department sent out Administrative Division Secretary Tsai Ting-Sheng to receive the activists' petition. ‘We will bring your opinions back for further deliberation,’ he said.
Indonesia Castration Law 'Will Wipe Out Paedophilia'
BBC News, Indonesia, 10/19/2016
In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC's Yalda Hakim, Indonesian President Widodo - also known as Jokowi - discussed topics including the South China Sea, corruption, a recent tax amnesty and the government's stance on homosexuality. On the topic of chemical castration as punishment for sexual crimes, President Widodo said, ‘Our constitution respects human rights, but when it comes to sexual crimes there is no compromise. We are strong and we will be very firm. We will hand out the maximum penalty for sexual crimes.’ He added, ‘In my opinion […] chemical castration, if we enforce it consistently, will reduce sex crimes and wipe them out over time.’
In Panel’s Report, Ways to Balance Gender Justice, Diverse Family Laws
The Indian Express, India, 10/17/2016
On October 7, 2016 the Union Government filed its gingerly-worded affidavit in the Supreme Court supporting a ban on talaq-e-bidat, nikah halala, and polygamy. If gender justice was indeed the concern, the Union Government didn’t have to look very far for solutions. While hearing the Shayara Banu plea against triple talaq, the apex court directed the Centre to present the report of the High Level Committee on the Status of Women in India (2015). The report straddles the fine line between ensuring gender justice and maintaining the plurality of family laws. It reiterates the need to protect diversity, and rejects uniformity as a way to push for women’s rights. The report’s relevance extends far beyond the stand it takes against triple talaq and polygamy.
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