OMG 2: Vivek and Our Conviction
I recently viewed a comedy-drama film in Hindi, titled OMG 2, where the plot centres around a father’s efforts to reinstate his son, Vivek, in school after he faces expulsion due to an incident; the incident of masturbating in the school restroom.
The movie concluded with widespread public support for the father, leading to a favourable court ruling in his favour. Additionally, the court mandated the Indian Education Board to overhaul the curriculum, incorporating comprehensive Sex Education as a vital component.
Today’s writing is a reflection on my seven years of experience working with the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative titled ‘Wreetu’ in Bangladesh.
Over the last 7 years, while working with my organisation ‘Wreetu’ and educating the adolescents about menstruation and puberty, I got the unwavering demands for Sex Education among them.
Unfortunately, the crucial topics like consent, good touch and bad touch, menstruation, masturbation, and sexual behaviours are overlooked within families and schools leading the adolescents to explore these concepts through the internet, exposing them to unsolicited and inappropriate content. As a result, their understanding of healthy sexuality becomes distorted.
Recently, we conducted 30 sessions in six districts across Bangladesh, focusing on educating adolescent boys about puberty changes and providing them with coping mechanisms to manage their emotions and sexual desires during this crucial phase. The outcome of these sessions did not surprise me.
The boys have numerous questions, especially about sexuality. Their discussions with friends often revolve around girls.
Some boys reached out to our trainers separately, expressing their distress over addiction to pornography and an appeal to come out of it.
The situation is concerning.
Some boys are so addicted to pornography that they even associate female family members like sisters and mothers with their sexual fantasies. Incidents have occurred, such as a seventh-grade student sending inappropriate messages to one of our female trainers after a session.
These experiences highlight the urgent need for comprehensive sex education.
I firmly believe that sex education is essential to building a better society where girls feel safe in public spaces and boys are equipped to understand and manage their sexual emotions. It is crucial for creating a society free from forced sexual relationships and rape.
The plot of ‘OMG 2’ or my experiences are not discrete, they are interconnected.
We must start Sex Education from our home, from today, to ensure a safe and healthy world for our children.
I have already taken this step with my four-and-a-half-year-old daughter.
Have you done the same?