India: sex education counselling research training therapy / family life and marriage counselling centres
Manorama, H.S.
Planned Parenthood in Europe 19(3): 15
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 1017-8538 PMID: 12283768 Document Number: 341326
The Family Planning Association of India opened its first Sex Education, Counseling, Research Training/Therapy Center (SECRT) in 1978, and now Bombay, Bangalore, Jabalpur, Lucknow, Madras, New Delhi, Pune, and Rajkot each have a center. The SECRT centers exist to create awareness among people, especially young people, about sexuality, healthy relationships, and family well-being, and to create a core of youth leaders who will enhance the level of reproductive health among their peers. The centers' main activities are sex education programs in schools and colleges; training and orientation in human sexuality, reproductive health, and counseling for sexually related issues; premarital counseling for young couples about to be married and marital counseling for married couples; counseling, therapy, and referral services for abnormal sexual behavior; marriage enrichment; telephone hotline services; youth leader training in adolescent reproductive health; training of personnel to help the handicapped overcome any related problems; and the preparation of audiovisual aids for counseling with regard to sexual health. The centers have panels of specialists and all services are provided both confidentially and free of charge. The centers also consult with policymakers on the implementation of programs on human sexuality. It is expected that research will be conducted on adolescent sexuality both at the headquarters and branch levels.