Take Steps to Include Third Gender in UPSC Exam: HC to Centre
The Times of India - New Delhi, India, 8/31/2016
Referring to the landmark judgement passed by the Supreme Court on April 15, 2014 granting legal recognition to transgenders or eunuchs as third category of gender, a bench asked the Centre to take urgent steps to include them in UPSC Exam.
Rajasthan Varsity Seeks Details of Students’ Menstrual Cycle, Pregnancy Status
Hindustan Times - Rajasthan, India, 8/30/2016
A women’s University in Rajasthan has asked students details of their menstrual cycle and reproductive status in a health-profile form that comes with the admission application, a practice described as disgusting and intrusive by activists. Banasthali University in Tonk, which is 85 km from Jaipur, is a popular residential facility set up to promote higher education in the desert state, where women are way down the social ladder. Kavita Srivastava, a member of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, a rights body, said the form violated privacy. ‘Details of a person’s body cannot be made public. Such information can only be shared with one’s doctor.’ The questions should be withdrawn immediately, she said.
Growing Antibiotic Resistance Forces Updates to Recommended Treatment For Sexually Transmitted Infections
World Health Organization - Geneva, Switzerland, 8/30/2016
New guidelines for the treatment of three common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been issued by WHO in response to the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Syphilis are all caused by bacteria and are generally curable with antibiotics. However, these STIs often go undiagnosed and are becoming more difficult to treat, with some antibiotics now failing as a result of misuse and overuse.
Fostering Communities For Gender Sensitisation
Hindustan Times - New Delhi, India, 8/29/2016
When different people come together to deliver a social message, a sense of community is fostered, dialogues are initiated and action-based steps are taken. Gender Mela, an event organised in the Capital by Safecity, is doing just this. It will engage the community of Dakshinpuri, Delhi, in dialogues on issues that directly impact their lives, including gender-based violence and individual rights. Salini Sharma, Coordinator of the event says, ‘There will be stalls and exhibitions where volunteers from the community will showcase audio-visual presentations. Street play performances will be held, as well as open dialogue with discussions and talks.’
Sexual Health Products Selling More in Smaller Cities Than Metros in India
Deccan Chronicle, India, 8/28/2016
Indians are embracing the digital space more and more, and along with that they are becoming more aware of their sexuality and are giving more importance to sexual health and well being. A survey by e-commerce platform Kinkpin showed that 87% people in small cities were buying sexual wellness products online, while only 32% in metros were buying them offline. The survey also indicated that women are buying these products more, as 77% of online orders came from women while 73% were from men.
HIV Self-Testing Launched in Viet Nam
Viet Nam News, Viet Nam, 8/27/2016
The Ministry of Health (MoH), the US Embassy and HIV community groups launched the first-ever HIV self-testing services in Viet Nam. More than 200,000 people have been diagnosed with HIV infection, with 110,000 people receiving antiretroviral therapy, said Nguyễn Hoàng Long, Director of the Viet Nam Administration for HIV and AIDS Control. 'HIV self-testing is the next step in increasing access to HIV testing, and normalising it as other over-the-counter rapid tests do (e.g., for diabetes or pregnancy),' he said.
CM Approves New Population Policy
The Express Tribune - Karachi, Pakistan, 8/27/2016
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has approved the Sindh Population Policy 2016 under which the Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) will be increased from 30% to 40% by 2020. The Chief Minister (CM) said the population policy 2016 envisages promoting a prosperous, healthy, educated and knowledge-based society where all citizens are provided opportunities to access information and quality services about family planning and reproductive healthcare. Under the new policy, the Government has to take necessary measures, particularly awareness drives, to enhance the CPR from 30% in 2015 to 45% in 2020.
LGBT Advocates Give Moving Speeches at Award Event
The Jakarta Post, Indonesia, 8/27/2016
A group of LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning) advocates was bestowed with the Suardi Tasrif Award, given to those fighting for freedom of expression, during a ceremony in Jakarta on August 26th, 2016. The group, Forum LGBTIQ Indonesia, is an alliance of more than 20 LGBTIQ NGOs throughout Indonesia. The award was ceremonially accepted by two representatives from the alliance, Abhipraya Ardiansyah Muchtar, who is a transman, and Kanza Vina, a transwoman. The ceremony was also attended by Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, who delivered a keynote speech.
A Horror Confronted
The Economist - Beijing, China, 8/27/2016
China has millions of sexually abused children. It is beginning to acknowledge their suffering. In 2015 Fang Xiangming of China Agricultural University, in a report for the World Health Organisation (WHO), estimated, using local studies, that 9.5% of Chinese girls and 8% of boys were victims of sexual abuse, ranging from unwanted contact to rape. For boys the rate is as high as the global norm, for girls it is slightly less so. Because of the country’s size, however, the absolute numbers are staggering. Since early this decade, prosecutors and police have been spelling out how cases of abuse should be handled, from the collection of evidence to support for victims and procedures for separating a child from his or her parents.
Parents, Local Leaders Urged to Sensitise Youth on HIV
The New Times, Rwanda, 8/25/2016
Parents and local leaders have been called upon to sensitise the youth on prevention of HIV to reduce new infections. This was during the launch of Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Day (ASRH&R Day) at Butamwa Health Centre, Nyarugenge District, on August 23rd, 2016. The campaign was conducted under the theme, ‘Access to sexual reproductive health is a right to all adolescents and youth.’ Isabelle Kalisa, a project officer at Imbuto Foundation, noted that it was important for the youth, with the help of parents, to be aware of the health services available to them.
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