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[27 September 2012] - Having received the letter from 54 NGOs protesting against "the destruction of gender identity", Ombudsman Juris Jansons gave his assessment yesterday of the new "gender-bending" children's book and methodological manual for teachers. In his view, the publications in question do not violate any Latvian laws or rights, and in fact defend a child's right to individuality. Jansons underlines that the materials urge people to break stereotypes about gender roles and boost gender equality, informsLETA. "We cannot agree that [publishing and releasing] this book threatens the foundations of our nation [as has been claimed]. Quite the opposite, it defends a child's right to individuality and promotes a child's opportunity to develop his/her abilities regardless of gender, therefore the book is in the public interest. The interpretation of the authors of the letter has the book undermining a child's orientation to family. We disagree with this interpretation," Jansons states. Laila Gravere, the head of the office's children's rights section, agrees with the book's foreword by Danish Minister Karen Jespersen that gender equality education must start with small children, but to avert discrimination, the task must be carried out with persons of all ages, breeding respect for one's fellow man and understanding that professional qualifications are based on interest, knowledge and experience, not gender. Further Information: