The Third Gender`s Right to Dignity
The Hindu - New Delhi, India, 5/31/2012
They came beautifully dressed, some a tad brightly, but all beautifully and proudly, there was much chatter, and a lot of sisterhood. It was the public hearing of transgenders at Delhi. By recognising the rights of the transgender community, the state is not doling out largesse; it is only performing its duty under the Constitution. Transgender persons walking alone are subjected to harassment, and so, in defense, they adopt a loud and aggressive behaviour. There are highly qualified, educated and articulate persons who cannot secure employment because of the difference.
Judge Slams Move on Age of Consensual Sex
Hindustan Times - New Delhi, India, 5/31/2012
Amid growing criticism of the government’s move to raise the age of consent for sex from 16 to 18 years a Delhi court has termed it a ‘backward’ step, saying, it would give a ‘tool’ to the police to harass teenagers. ‘Such a move would open floodgates for prosecution of the boys for the offence of rape, on the basis of complaints by the parents of the girl, no matter if the girl would have been the consenting party and the offer to have sexual intercourse may have come from her,’ said additional sessions judge Virender Bhat, describing it an ‘undemocratic and ‘regressive’ step.
Child Protection Agency Wants Indonesia to Curb Condom Sales
Jakarta Globe - Jakarta, Indonesia, 5/30/2012
Indonesia`s Child Protection Commission (KPAI) urged the government to limit condom sales to approved stores, a move that would effectively pull the contraception out of convenience stores. The criticisms of Asrorun, a former secretary with the Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI), were backed by an employee of Bogor`s Religious Affairs Ministry who argued that the prevalence of easy-to-get condoms had led to a surge in sexual activity in Bogor. ‘Condoms are a halal product, but sales should be limited to prevent misuse by people who are not supposed to use it,’ KPAI Deputy Chairman Asrorun Ni`am Sholeh said.
Thai Transgender Politician Vows to Fight for Rights of All
The Jakarta Post - Bangkok, Thailand, 5/30/2012
Thai political history turned a new page when a transgender candidate won a provincial election. The result became a media phenomenon that drew attention across the country, and spread across the world. ‘Nan people voted for me, showing that Thai people respect human rights,’ Nok Yonlada - or Kirkkong Suanyos, as she is named on her ID card - the new Nan Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) member-elect, said. The unexpected result made her the first transvestite to get elected in Thai political history.
Social Organisations Need Stronger Support to Fight Against HIV/AIDS
Viet Nam News - Ha Noi, Viet Nam, 5/29/2012
A conference on HIV and AIDS found that though local NGOs have played an important role in combating disease-related issues in Viet Nam they need to better co-operate with each other and the State. Nguyen Van Tien, vice chairman of the National Assembly`s Commission of Social Affairs, states that there are a big number of organisations, but their operations are small-scale, scattered, and short-termed while limited resources make them incapable of achieving objectives while there is a lack of proper attention from government agencies.
Delhi budget: Lifeline for 10,000 poor HIV patients
The Times of India - New Delhi, India, 5/29/2012
The budget has good news for poor HIV and AIDS patients. In a unique initiative, the state government has proposed monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000 for patients suffering from the disease. While orphaned children infected with HIV and AIDS will get Rs 2,050 per month, other children will get Rs 1,750 per month. The budget has earmarked an initial corpus of Rs 5 crore for the ambitious health scheme.
HC Orders Medical Test of All Rohtak Shelter Home Abused
The Times of India - Chandigarh, India, 5/29/2012
The Punjab and Haryana high court on Monday ordered a detailed medical examination of all inmates of the infamous Rohtak-based shelter home, which was recently rocked by a sex scandal. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) team had rescued over 90 minor girls, between 10 and 15 years, from the home on May 9. The court took cognizance that Rohtak police and PGIMS, Rohtak, a premier hospital, did not conduct medical examination of girls who were sexually abused and that the district administration treated the case casually.
Bill Seen to Enlighten Youth
Manila Bulletin - Manila, Philippines, 5/28/2012
An official of the Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare (PNGOC) said yesterday the rising HIV and AIDS cases in the country may see a decline through HIV/sex education that is incorporated in the much-debated Reproductive Health (RH) bill. ‘RH bill has an aspect that may contribute to the addressing of the problem so it will definitely help,’ Divinagracia said in an interview.
Men’s Sexual Behavior Blamed for Rise in HIV/AIDS Prevalence
The Jakarta Post - Jakarta, Indonesia, 5/28/2012
As the number of HIV and AIDS infections contracted through sexual contact grow higher in the country, the efforts to combat the condition should primarily focus on addressing men’s irresponsible conduct, experts have said. The National AIDS Commission (KPA)’s secretary-general, Nafsiah Mboi, said young people between the ages of 15 and 29 were the group with the highest risk of HIV and AIDS infection and the problem is that in Indonesia, sexual and reproductive health services, including information on safe sex, are available for married couples only.
India’s Most Googled: Graft, Sex, Movies
Hindustan Times - Indore, India, 5/28/2012
Going by the new trend charts of Google which keeps tabs on keywords people across the world search for, newspaper headlines, economy, inflation and politics are the least of India’s concerns - over the last 12 months its world ranking on a search of these keywords places it in the 10th, 6th and 9th positions. On the other hand, ‘corruption’ and ‘sex’ appear to be popular topics - where India ranks 2nd and 3rd. In fact, ‘sex’ appears to be an all-time favourite keyword for India - the only country which precedes it being Pakistan. And the cities that top the world chart are New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, and Mumbai.
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