Let’s just be honest, talking about sex is still taboo in many Indian homes. Most young people in India grow up with unanswered questions, relying on friends or the internet for information. Unfortunately, these sources are often full of myths and misinformation. This is why comprehensive sex education in India is not just important, it’s urgent.
Well, can’t deny the fact that it is true and is what it is. But is it always about creating tension and getting all physical? Nope, there’s a lot more to the word sex and sexuality, and what’s necessary is educating people about it. Not only adults, but teenagers, because that’s where it starts getting complicated.
Why Is Sex Education Such a Big Deal?
India has one of the largest adolescent populations in the world about 253 million people aged between 10 and 19 years. That’s a huge number of young minds navigating puberty, relationships, and identity. Without proper education, many of them are left confused and vulnerable.
When schools avoid conversations about sexual health, kids end up learning from unreliable sources. This can lead to risky behaviors, unplanned pregnancies, and the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). According to NextIAS, a shocking 64% of cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) in 2021 were cases of sexual assault. This number alone should make us question whether we’re doing enough to protect and educate our youth.
What’s the Current State of Sex Education in India?
Most Indian schools shy away from the topic. While some institutions offer basic lessons on reproduction, many avoid conversations about consent, contraception, or emotional well-being. In fact, sex education was banned in several Indian states in the past due to cultural sensitivities.
When it is taught, the curriculum often focuses only on biology. Real-life concerns like how to set boundaries, understand relationships, or protect against abuse are rarely addressed. This outdated approach leaves young people without the tools to make safe, informed decisions. The interesting thing is that the youth want to learn. According to Smile Foundation India, over 90% of students think sex education is important, yet only 45% reported receiving it in school.
Scenario That Everyone Goes Through
Have you ever experienced girls and boys being separated for a secret class in your school days? Yes, you got that right! I am referring to that one particular class where the girls were locked in a room and the boys were asked to go out and play on the ground. For those who are still not able to get it, I am talking about the class when there used to be a silent conversation about periods or sex education in our school.
Unfortunately, sex education in our country is treated as a subject that does not exist. It is also observed that the teachers themselves are shy and uncomfortable teaching sex education. One prominent reason behind this is that sometimes the teachers themselves do not have the right vocabulary to talk about these issues due to a lack of adequate teaching material and training on the subject. That is the reason why these topics are often skipped or taught to girls in isolation when boys are not around. Lack of comprehensive sex education leaves young people ill-prepared to make informed decisions about their sexual health, leading to issues such as unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and the spread of STIs.
Breaking the Taboos
So, one day I was lying on the bed and scrolling reels, and suddenly my brother entered my room and simply sat beside me. After a few minutes, he asked, "Didi? What is period?", I asked him, "What made you ask this question?", he replied, "I just saw an advertisement for a sanitary pad in which they mentioned the word period". So, gradually, I made him understand what a period is and why women have their period and many other details. Suddenly, my mother came into my room and said," How can you discuss these things with your brother? Don't you have any shame?". I got a bit angry and told my mom, "He has the right to know about it. If he gets into a relationship or dates a girl, He must know how to take care of the girl during this time phase. She will also get comfortable while discussing with him". After a hearty argument, my mom leaves my room, taking my brother away.
Eventually, my father was listening to everything from my room's balcony. He came inside my room and said, "Proud of you my daughter. You should teach him and make sure that he listens to you. These things need to be discussed. First society should teach men then only rape and molestations will end".
I was overwhelmed. The way he supported me was unexpected and surprising. From this, I just wanted to tell you all that you can break the taboos just by taking the first step from your family. We have to normalize this thing and make sure that parents are answering children’s questions in a calm and supportive way.
Effective ways to facilitate
Well, effective ways of delivering curriculum are sufficient provision of age appropriate teaching-learning materials to teachers, which should include lesson plans with images, videos, games, etc. Teach topics like this through experiential/ activity-based learning, involving students for a better understanding of the subject. Invite students to speak about the issues and challenges that they are facing regarding the increase in bodily changes. Before the topic is taken, it is important to establish some ground rules to ensure no one mocks another and builds up a serious yet fun learning environment. These ground rules create an environment of empathy, curiosity, and respect as a collective effort put in by educators and students at the different stages of learning.
Why This Matters for India’s Future
When we empower young people with accurate information, we give them the tools to lead healthier, safer lives. Comprehensive sex education can reduce sexual abuse, improve public health, and promote gender equality. More importantly, it helps young people navigate their world with confidence. Knowing their rights and understanding their bodies allows them to make informed choices and develop healthy relationships.
If we continue to avoid these conversations, the consequences will only grow. But if we embrace sex education as a tool for empowerment, India’s youth can thrive in ways we’ve never imagined.
The question is: Are we ready to have the conversation?
Loved this! Over the years I’ve grown up, it’s been interesting to meet or see more and more men who know about periods, consent and much more, and women who’re way more comfortable than even me about teaching this to men. I’m so glad we’re going in the right direction!