Amid a nation-wide outrage over increasing number of rapes of children, a Tamil Nadu government textbook for Class 8 students has added fuel to the uproar by indirectly endorsing the patriarchal mindset that the girls are to be blamed if they face sexual abuse.
The textbook has a chapter titled “Reaching the age of adolescence” which lists the steps to be taken for primary prevention of child sexual abuse. One of the instructions given to girls students was to avoid wearing “provocative” dresses.
It also urges students to keep a safe distance from the other sex when going to school by auto, bus or train, and to be mindful of the way they sit.
“Don't allow anyone to hug, pet or kiss you,” it further said.
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The Class 8 textbook has been published under the uniform system of school education scheme in the trimester pattern.
Though the book has been taught in schools for quite sometime, the content came under criticism in the wake of the recent incidents of rapes, especially the sensational Kathua and Unnao cases.
"Speaking about their clothing or where to sit sends out an extremely regressive message and has completely shifted away the focus of primary prevention, which is to talk to and sensitize young boys and men,” said Vidya Reddy of Tulir to The Hindu. Tulir is a Chennai-based NGO working on child sexual abuse awareness and rehabilitation.
According to The News Minute, the response of G. Arivoli, the director of the State Council for Educational Research and Training, when asked about the content of the book was: "This textbook (of Class 8) has been in existence for 12 years. Why are you bringing it to our notice now? Nobody has complained till now." He, however, said that he would look into the issue.