AD calls for an effective sexual health policy
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Commenting on recent reports of a lack of a final national sexual health policy, Alternattiva Demokratika Spokesperson Mary Anne Zammit expressed the party’s concern about the procrastination in this important area. “The high rates of teenage pregnancies in our country are quite worrying and indicate that young teenagers are having casual and unprotected sex. Young teenagers are not being made aware of the physical and emotional dangers. The risk of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV is quite clear from recent press reports about the situation” said AD Spokesperson for Health and Social Protection Mary Anne Zammit.
“This raises the question on how effective sex or relationship education programmes are in delivering a clear message on responsibility and protected sex, and whether these programmes are reaching those with low literacy skills. Schools play a vital role in providing this information to teenagers. All schools without exception should be directed to provide effective and fact-based relationship education programmes.”
AD Spokesperson on Youth Deborah Zahra added that, “A good sexual health policy must go beyond STI prevention and treatment. A holistic sexual health education consists of trained professionals who teach life skills such as assertiveness and empowerment. Contrary to what some people might think, speaking to adolescents about sex in a professional manner instills a sense of responsibility in them. Keeping something ‘unknown’, ‘mysterious’ and ‘taboo’ will only lead to irresponsible experimentation and serious mistakes.”
“We appreciate the work being done by officials in health Department, teachers and youth councillors and PSD teachers but for more positive results, sexual health promotion needs to be reviewed and upgraded with clear promotional campaigns on this matter. The need for a National Sexual Health Policy is crucial, and this Policy should assess the current situation and indicate the best measures in targeting this serious situation,” concluded Mary Anne Zammit, the Green Party’s spokesperson.
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