With the number of HIV-infected-cases on a steep rise in the subcontinent, madarssas in Kishanganj district of Bihar has taken it upon itself to spread much-needed awareness on the issue .
The madarssas have allowed to conduct sex education for adolescent girls, probably a first for any madarssa in the country. It’s a bold initiative to spread awareness about AIDS from Azad India Foundation.
Lady supervisor Ajra Begum explains the difficulties of providing sex education in a Muslim society, “It’s not an easy task and especially in a Muslim society where girls are not usually allowed to go out of the house much hence people in the area are against it.
The session on sex education covers changes during puberty,anaemia,hygiene and ways to stay away from sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. The students say men are against their attending these classes.
Community Health Worker Arsia Neelam says, “ The men are against sex education, and don’t want us to conduct or attend the classes but we feel that awareness is important especially since there have been many cases of HIV in our village.
Despite strident opposition the madarssa is attracting students and is a shining example for the rest of the country to follow.