Swedish MPs on study visit to India

The aim of the study visit was to raise awareness within the Swedish parliament regarding SRHR in development countries. Another goal was to create an area where Swedish and Indian politicians can share experiences and discuss political action within the field of SRHR. (Inger René, left, Cecilia Wikström, right)

The visit was a joint cooperation between RFSU and the Indian NGO MAMTA, with which RFSU has been collaborating since 1999. MAMTA made the local arrangements and also participated in all the meetings. Other than the two MP:s and representatives from MAMTA, the group also consisted of staff from RFSU head quarters.

Mixed images of a deversified India

Short, formal and effective meetings with high level decision-makes where mixed with study visits in slum and rural areas were the group had the opportunity to meet local decision-makers, community workers and young men and women. The meetings revealed mixed images of a diversified India. While economic growth is boosting and health expenditures rising, poverty is still a reality for many and access to quality health services is still a matter of income. Many laws, legislations and policies such as sexuality education, contraceptives and abortion, are in fact in place in India. The problem is to implement them.

At central level meetings, questions regarding sexuality education, abortion and contraceptives were raised and discussed. Sometimes it was difficult to go deeper into these issues thus expressions like “the social construction” and “our traditions” were used as obstacles to implement already decided policies, seeing culture as something static rather than something people themselves can influence. Also the allocated time made it difficult to prolong discussions.

Good examples of sex talk

One exception was the meeting at the Ministry of Youth. Here the group got good examples of how one can talk openly about safe sex in India. A handbook, which included questions and answers on sex, was one of many methods brought forward by the Ministry.

Another discussion concerned law that criminalises same sex relations. Some high-level politicians found the law hard to talk about while others questioned if it had any consequences in reality. However, the group later heard about policemen taking bribes when catching persons of the same sex having sex.

Where asked questions about Swedish lifestyle

The group found the study visits in slum areas in New Delhi and in a rural area outside the Holy City of Varanasi very interesting. In open dialogues the MP:s had the opportunity to ask about life in India and they were met with questions about Swedish people’s view on marriage and relationships. In Sweden it is common to live together without being married. A big difference to India where in many parts of the country sex not is allowed before marriage and most marriages are arranged by parents.

SRHR in India today

RFSU asked MP:s Inger René and Cecilia Wikström what, in their opinion, are the three most important issues concerning SRHR in India today.

First of all the MP:s stressed contraception accessibility and information on how to use them. Especially condoms, as condoms protect both from STI:s and unwanted pregnancies. Secondly, both Inger René and Cecilia Wikström pointed out that crucial for the future and young people is the importance of continuing the work to implement sexuality education into the school system. Thirdly, but not least important, the MP:s stressed the situation regarding safe abortions. Although abortion is legal in India, only ten percent of the abortions are conducted in a safe environment. This due to stigmatisation, too few qualified clinics and the fact that midwives are not allowed to perform abortions.

Maria Hellvig
Julia Schalk
Image: Swedish Parliament and RFSU