How Important is Gender Identity For Kids?
The Times of India, India, 12/30/2014
Gender identity and sexuality is one of the major factors of child development. Though it is often believed that sexual development in a child remains negligible until they attain puberty, American Academy of Pediatrics recently published a report which claimed, ‘Children begin showing sexual behaviour and interest in their sexual functioning starting from infancy. Development of gender identity and sexuality cuts across physical, cognitive, social, and emotional developmental dimensions.’ Hence, apart from sexuality education, helping their children with gender identity is one of the important facets of parenting.
Girls in Gujarat Record Highest Incidences of ‘Sexual Abuse’
The Indian Express - Gujarat, India, 12/30/2014
More girls in Gujarat seem to be reporting ‘sexual abuse’ than anywhere else in the country. According to a recent status report published by an NGO - Save the Children - over 63 percent girls in Gujarat have reported sexual abuse which is the highest in the country. Madhya Pradesh (57%) and West Bengal (56%) stand second and third in the report titled, `Wings 2014: The World of India’s Girls’, conceptualised by the NGO and prepared by Advanced Centre for Women’s Studies of Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS). Gujarat also seems to topping the states in employing child workers. The report that relies on ‘secondary data, mostly sourced from the government’, quotes Gujarat as having 32 percent of the 28 million children engaged in child labour in India. It is as low as three percent in Goa and Kerala.
Threats Push LGBT Parties Back Into The Closet
Daily News & Analysis - Mumbai, India, 12/29/2014
They already have their New Year parties at undisclosed locations to avoid threats and vandalism, but the Supreme Court's December 2013 judgment criminalising homosexuality has pushed the LGBT community further into the closet. According to city-based party planners from the community, the number has gone down from seven to two this year, while the number of house parties has increased. ‘The SC ruling has hit us hard. Our parties have been threatened with vandalism and serious action by political parties, religious extremists and cops even though we have all permissions in place,’ said Namrata Bajaj, whose friends have cancelled their parties for the same reason.
Can Vedic Maths Make Up For Sex Education? Shiksha Bachao Andolan Wants Lessons on Spirituality; Sex Education Scrapped
Daily News & Analysis - Mumbai, India, 12/28/2014
If controversial activist Dinanath Batra has his way, sex education in schools would soon be replaced with Vedic Maths and similar subjects. Batra does not want sex education to be a part of curriculum in the new school education policy being drafted by the ministry of human resources and development (MHRD). The ministry is seeking inputs from all stakeholders. At present, Central Board of School Education's (CBSE) biology texts for the eight standard and above have chapters on sex education, under the 'Adolescence and Reproductive Sexual Health Programme'. It covers issues related to nutrition, health, hygiene, physical fitness and mental health besides drug abuse, reproductive and sexual health and HIV and AIDS.
Prison Moves Inmates Found HIV Positive
The Jakarta Post - Kualatungkal City, Indonesia:, 12/27/2014
Two inmates found to be HIV positive have been transferred from Bram Itam penitentiary in Kualatungkal city, West Tanjungjabung regency, to the Jambi penitentiary. Bram Itam penitentiary chief warden Wahyu Hidayat said the transfer was undertaken to provide more intensive medical care for the two inmates. What was challenging, according to Wahyu, was that those who were HIV positive or had AIDS did not reveal their status to prison employees, much less have their health routinely checked at a community health center.
Gender Reassignment Rule to be Changed
Taipei Times, Taiwan, 12/26/2014
People who wish to legally change their registered gender will soon no longer be required to undergo surgery before applying, the Ministry of the Interior said yesterday, marking a long-awaited victory for transgender rights advocates. The ministry said it would soon terminate a controversial administrative order issued in 2008 that requires the surgical removal of gender-specific organs, as well as assessments from two psychiatrists, before a person is allowed to apply for gender reassignment.
Justice Markandey Katju Opposes Gay Relationships, Says Women Primarily a Tool For Procreation
Daily News & Analysis - Mumbai, India, 12/26/2014
Former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju sparked outrage on December 26, 2014 with a post on his social media handles and blog titled 'Gay Relationships and Gay Marriages'. Describing the 'law of nature' and the concept of 'life force', Katju insinuated that the only purpose men and women exist is to fulfil the ‘powerful urge to reproduce’. Keeping aside any reference to a bond between humans based on love, common interests and companionship, he goes on to say that ‘a woman has to get hold of a man, not merely to make her pregnant, but also to look after her and provide for her financially while she is performing this role.’
A Gayer Taiwan is a Happier Taiwan
Taipei Times, Taiwan, 12/25/2014
Countries with progressive social attitudes towards homosexuality rank highest in a list of the world’s happiest nations. According to a survey by Gallup Inc, Taiwan was listed as the world’s 39th most LGBT-friendly country. Thirty-nine percent of respondents say the country is welcoming, while 42 percent say that it isn’t. Taiwan ranks second among all Asian countries surveyed, behind the Philippines, which is listed as the world’s 22nd most LGBT-friendly country. The poll, conducted in 123 countries last year and released this year, saw 28 percent of respondents saying that their city or area is a ‘good place’ for gays and lesbians to live. The world’s top three LGBT-friendly countries are the Netherlands, Iceland and Canada, where same-sex marriage is legally recognised.
Educate Your Child About Sexual Abuse
The Times of India, India, 12/24/2014
Sexual abuse is now becoming a common issue in schools, with its rate increasing alarmingly. Recently, education minister Vinod Tawde said that society views educational institutions, especially teachers, with a lot of respect, and when a student is abused by a teacher, it raises concern. Experts say that parents should make their kids aware about sexual abuse as early as two years. Clinical psychologist and author Seema Hingorrany says, ‘The discussion at the age of three should be about right and wrong touch. In my opinion, both the girls and boys should be taught and made aware about sexual abuse. Children at this age do understand various body parts and how nobody should be allowed to touch their private parts.’
Terre Des HommesRed-Faced Over 'Sex Workers Avialable' SMS
The Himalayan Times - Kathmandu, Nepal, 12/22/2014
On December 19, 2014, a somewhat weird text message was landing on mobile phones of many users. The text message, which read ‘young boys and girls are available for commercial sex inside the Kathmandu Valley’ and asked the recipients to call certain numbers for further details, startled many recipients. And then it came into public knowledge that the message was being delivered by Terre des Hommes, an INGO, whose website says ‘it works against child exploitation’. Terre des Hommes organised a press conference on December 22, 2014, where it defended the message saying ‘it was part of its campaign to aware the general public about child exploitation and end commercial sexual exploitation of children’. TdH also had sent a follow-up text message asking cell phone users ‘not to take the previous message negatively’.
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