Becoming liberal to sex

Historically, Bhutan was regarded as the liberal society for sex despite the fact that many males join the Buddhism study, renouncing sex and marriages. The Tantrik Buddhist of Bhutan regard relation between a woman and a monk as sin and women are not permitted into monasteries after sunset to avoid possible sex relations. 

In course of time, sex was negatively explained by fundamentalists. Women mostly were confined to home and pressurized to dress that completely cover their body. Make up for women was a dare dream. Talks between a girl and boy were generally not accepted well by current older generation. It perpetuates to some member of the new generation as well. Yet, women continued to be viewed as object of sex. That´s why in recent years, incidents of rapes cases and night hunting get good media coverage. Negative perception on extra marital sex or premarital sex resulted to increase in violence against women and girls. Zhemgang district in central Bhutan is the most prone zone of sexual violence against women.

Opting to western products and technology was perceived as eroding culture until mid-1990s. For example wearing fashionable clothes that makes people look sexy was hardly accepted. Pant, T-shirts and other newest form of clothes were discouraged by government, not alone the community leaders and parents. Fashion shows are exceptionally absent and beauty contest appeared last year for the first time, amidst criticism and protests. Still, fashion fever does not attract the Bhutan society. 

Younger generations never keep up always with their parents´ diktat. Sex is subject of debates, daily discussions and pair conversations across the globe today and Bhutan cannot escape from this changing culture of global village. The statistics and studies have shown it clearly.

The condom distribution drive for safe sex meant to control HIV/AIDS spread has been the boon for young generation to burst the social taboos cultivated over the last few decades by fundamentalists. The HIV/AIDS General Population Survey Bhutan 2006 states condom use for extramarital sex was 79.7 percent and premarital sex, 73.5 percent which says only few youths remain virgin until their age of marriage.

The free distributions of condoms, not to forget the flavored ones, added extra attraction among youths to sex relations. The newest products distributed freely by the Ministry of Health with the support of World Bank are banana-flavoured, vanilla-flavoured, or lemon-flavoured and they are rubbery or ultra thin. The use has increased unexpectedly. This obviously, in long run, will help decrease sexual violence against women and forced sex relations for teenagers. 

In 2008 alone, 21,60,000 flavored condoms were consumed and government prepares to distributed another 28,80,000 for this year. In 2007, World Bank distributed 28,80, 000 including 7,20,000 banana-flavoured dotted condoms, 7,20,000 vanilla-flavoured ribbed condoms, 7,20,000 lemon-flavoured ultra thin condoms and 7,20,000 plain condoms. The agency distributed same numbers in 2005.

The beginning was in 1991 by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with the objective of family planning but this gradually turned golden goose for the youngsters.

The condom budget is also big. Not only World Bank but UNFPA is also involved in teaching people for use of condoms. In the last five years it spent US$ 240,501 on plain condoms beside US$ 68,027 in 2005 from World Bank.

Whatever be the objective and mission, condom has indirectly opened up Bhutanese society to be liberal on sex – primarily on extra marital and pre marital. Additionally, this has indirect support for control of fatherless children or abortion. Since abortion is not legally allowed in the country, condoms can be helpful for birth control. The increasing cases of HIV/AIDS could get reduced if the government could create more awareness on its benefits – controlling birth rates and protecting from HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Further, supply the condoms to commercial sex workers, who are not treated well but continue their business underground, to be used during their relations with customers, will greatly help control the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STDs. 

Sex is not controlled under threats or regulations. This is natural. It better needs a regularized and systematized environment for safer sex. There could be rare examples of renouncing sex despite some are obliged to do so for sake of religion. Liberal sex is not Achilles’ heel for society. It just needs regulated for all´s good.