‘Raising age of consent for sex bad idea’
7 Jun 2012 1:12 AM GMT
Rohini councillor and social worker Shobha Vijender, 50, is miffed with the legislation’s decision to increase the ‘age of sexual consent’ of girls from 16 years to 18 years. She is of the view that the rule would have several repercussions on ground level implementation.
‘We are working in underprivileged colonies of Delhi and encounter several cases in which girls as early as 14 years of age are sexually active. Further, the television channels and films teach them a lot. The rule would only be a tool in the hands of police to harass the youngsters,’ said Vijender, the founder of Sampurna, a NGO working among underprivileged section of society in Delhi.
Sampurna has 10 centres in north west Delhi and provides health, education and self employment related training to adolescent girls from the underprivileged section of the society residing in slums, unauthorised colonies and J J clusters. Sampurna runs community-based services, family counselling centres and crisis intervention centres. With a staff of over 40, the NGO is serving over 2,000 beneficiaries.
Vijender has been two times Bench of Magistrate in Child Welfare Committee. ‘As a magistrate, I have seen several cases where girls aged 14-15 years elope with their lovers. They even fight with court to be with their lovers, but we had to send them to Nari Niketan,’ she added.
She cites several instances to support her view. Shobha Vijender, who married Delhi BJP president Vijender Gupta in 1987 was a Child Development Project Officer in Gurgaon, Group B Gazetted Officer before their marriage and founded Sampurna in September 1993.
‘In spite of adopting ban policy, the children and adolescents should be provided appropriate sex education and awareness. The children at the age of 8-9 years should be made aware of the differences between affectionate and sexual touch by adults, which will be very helpful in controlling sexual exploitation of children, sodomy and rape,’ opined Vijender.
However, she considers these matter sensitive and of the opinion that entrusted people and parents should impart such education to avoid wrong knowledge from peer group and neighbours. ‘The government should promote good NGOs for such education and awareness,’ she added.
Vijender has done her post graduation in Social Work from Jamia Milia University in Delhi and PhD in social work from University of Agra.
‘Different standards of age in Child Labour Act, Juvenile Justice Act, Marriage Act are problematic while dealing with cases of adolescents on ground level. The government should come up with a broad rule to cover all these aspects,’ she said.
Vijender is excited about her new role as councillor in the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC). ‘Its a bigger platform and gives more opportunities to serve people and solve their problems,’ said Vijender. She wants better sanitation, health facilities, education and no-encroachment zone for her area.
AT A GLANCE
‘We are working in underprivileged colonies of Delhi and encounter several cases in which girls as early as 14 years of age are sexually active. Further, the television channels and films teach them a lot. The rule would only be a tool in the hands of police to harass the youngsters,’ said Vijender, the founder of Sampurna, a NGO working among underprivileged section of society in Delhi.
Sampurna has 10 centres in north west Delhi and provides health, education and self employment related training to adolescent girls from the underprivileged section of the society residing in slums, unauthorised colonies and J J clusters. Sampurna runs community-based services, family counselling centres and crisis intervention centres. With a staff of over 40, the NGO is serving over 2,000 beneficiaries.
Vijender has been two times Bench of Magistrate in Child Welfare Committee. ‘As a magistrate, I have seen several cases where girls aged 14-15 years elope with their lovers. They even fight with court to be with their lovers, but we had to send them to Nari Niketan,’ she added.
She cites several instances to support her view. Shobha Vijender, who married Delhi BJP president Vijender Gupta in 1987 was a Child Development Project Officer in Gurgaon, Group B Gazetted Officer before their marriage and founded Sampurna in September 1993.
‘In spite of adopting ban policy, the children and adolescents should be provided appropriate sex education and awareness. The children at the age of 8-9 years should be made aware of the differences between affectionate and sexual touch by adults, which will be very helpful in controlling sexual exploitation of children, sodomy and rape,’ opined Vijender.
However, she considers these matter sensitive and of the opinion that entrusted people and parents should impart such education to avoid wrong knowledge from peer group and neighbours. ‘The government should promote good NGOs for such education and awareness,’ she added.
Vijender has done her post graduation in Social Work from Jamia Milia University in Delhi and PhD in social work from University of Agra.
‘Different standards of age in Child Labour Act, Juvenile Justice Act, Marriage Act are problematic while dealing with cases of adolescents on ground level. The government should come up with a broad rule to cover all these aspects,’ she said.
Vijender is excited about her new role as councillor in the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC). ‘Its a bigger platform and gives more opportunities to serve people and solve their problems,’ said Vijender. She wants better sanitation, health facilities, education and no-encroachment zone for her area.
AT A GLANCE
- Best moment of my life: When I received my PhD
- Best thing about Delhi: ‘Dilwale of Delhi’ and its greenery
- Worst thing about Delhi: Traffic jams
- Ideal leader: Atal Bihar Vajpayee
- Favourite tourist destination: Manali
- Fashion: I like both sari and western dresses
- Favourite cuisine: North Indian
- Who decides the menu in the kitchen: My husband
- About Vijender Gupta: A true friend
- Who is more close to children: My husband
- What attracted you in Vijender Gupta: Sincerity
- Favourite hangouts in college days: Parks
Next Story
