New Delhi: Expressing ‘concern’ over rising number of child pregnancies, the Kerala High Court on Friday stressed upon the need to ‘re-look at the sexual education’ that is being given to the children in schools.
“I am compelled to express concern at the increasing number of child pregnancies, in which, at least some cases involve close relatives. In my opinion, it is time for the authorities to take a re-look at the sexual education being imparted in our schools,” LiveLaw quoted Justice V.G. Arun.
The Justice also asserted that the easy access to the porn on internet is somehow responsible for inflicting “wrong ideas”. He added, “The easy availability of porn on the internet can mislead the juvenile mind of youngsters and give them wrong ideas. Educating our children about the safe use of the internet and social media is absolutely essential.”
The bench was hearing a plea of a mother whose 13-year-old daughter was sexually abused by a minor sibling. The incident came into light when the girl complaint about serious abdominal pain and her mother took her for the check-up where she learnt that the deceased was 30 weeks pregnant.
The HC also recalled a similar case where a different judge intends to ensure “better awareness of the concerned statutes.”
“The (other) Judge has also noted that the educational machinery of the state has fallen woefully short in imparting the required awareness to young children about the consequence of sexual overtures,” Justice Arun observed.
The court has also permitted the girl to terminate the pregnancy in a government hospital. It should be noted that the maximum permissible gestational period is 24 weeks while in this case, the pregnancy had crossed 30 weeks. However, in this case, the victim was a rape survivor and a minor, and incest was also involved.
