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Russia: Astakhov deprives children of their right to sexuality education

05.12.2014

unofficial translation

The Commissioner for Children’s Rights under the President of Russia Pavel Astakhov said that Russian schools will never introduce the subject of “sex education”, informs “Interfax”. “They ask, when will we have sexual education? I say – never, “- he explained.

According to Astakhov, he had difficulties when working with European counterparts because of the position of the Russian authorities on a number of issues, including on the issue of sex education of children. “Of course, for them I become an opponent, ideological enemy”, – said children’s ombudsman.

Previously, Astakhov said that the appearance of school lessons of sex education can lead to misinterpretation of the rules of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. According to the Ombudsman, these documents provide guidance on early sex education for children. Astakhov fears that adherence to them would be contrary to morality, ethics, and traditions of Russia. He believes that the lessons of sex education may adversely affect the moral and mental health of children. To prevent sexual molestation of minors, Astakhov propose to return to the school curriculum subject “Ethics and psychology of family life.”

Minister of Education and Science Dmitry Livanov back in 2013 spoke in favour of the return to the Russian school of sex education lessons, but the decision on the issue was postponed. Astakhov then offered to compensate for the sex education lessons in reading classical literature. “Today the best, in fact, sex education – is Russian literature. Literature in general. More should be read to children – and everything is there: including love, and the relationship of the sexes. The school should educate children about chastity, in the spirit of understanding of family values, “- said Astakhov.

Source: http://m.lenta.ru/news/2014/12/01/astajov/

Retrieved from the website of Russian Association for Population and Development

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