Sexism not cool, kid should be taught real men don’t bully women: Kerala HC

Mangalore Today News Network

Thiruvanantapuram, Jan 21, 2023: The Kerala High Court on Friday said sexism is "not cool" and children should be taught at a young age that real men don’t bully women. The court made the remark while observing the increasing sexual harassment incidents against students in schools and colleges.

The court also said that lessons in good behaviour and etiquette must be part of the curriculum.

 

"Sometimes one gets the impression that our educational system seldom focuses on character building, but solely on academic results and employability. It is time to shift attention to value education – so that our children grow up to be well-adjusted adults. From at least the primary level, teachers must be encouraged to instil virtues and values in students", it added.

Justice Devan Ramachandran made the observations while hearing a petition challenging the order of the Internal Complaints Committee and the order passed by the principal of a college. The petitioner had allegedly groped women students within the campus. The petitioner challenged the report of the complaints committee holding him guilty and said that the petitioner was not given an opportunity of being heard.

The court said, "Most of, or all, the allegations of sexual harassment are made against boys and very rarely against girls and, in that perspective, certainly, it is now time for all to sit up and think intently as to what should be done, atleast for the generations to come. Boys must know that they should not touch a girl or woman without her explicit consent. They should understand that no means no”.

The court directed the Registry to serve a copy of the judgment to the chief secretary of the Kerala government, the secretary, General Education Department and Secretary, higher education department, and the Education Boards. The University Grants Commission also has a role to play in as much as their regulations relating to such issues are effectively monitored and implemented, said the court.

Courtesy: India Today