The issue of sex and sexuality cannot be avoided in today’s society. Believe it or not young people are much more exposed to such kinds of content than say 20 years ago.
Sex and sexuality infiltrates music, music videos, the Internet, television, fashion and other spheres of life. Moreover, sexuality has evolved into so many different definitions to fit every lifestyle. This inevitably brings to light the Jamaican situation, where many young people experience early sexual initiation — and all the repercussions associated with it.
Teens are now engaging in early sexual initiation and becoming parents at a much earlier age. The Registrar General’s Department reported that in 2008, 41,868 girls between 12 and 19 became mothers. This means that youth need to take more responsibility about their bodies and their future. Too many young people engage in risky sexual practices, sometimes with many partners.
In response to this, the National Centre for Youth Development (NCYD) has embarked on several campaigns to encourage young people to make more reasoned and appropriate sexual choices. Some of the campaigns have dealt with abstinence, but acknowledging that many young people are sexually active, safe sex campaigns have also been done.
The National Secondary Students’ Council (NSSC) has carried out major safe sex campaigns, including ‘Its Never Too Late… Smart Girls Wait’, an expo which attracted 500 students during Safer Sex Week this year.
Student councillors promoted healthy lifestyles and peer counselling on Sexual and Reproductive Health, in an attempt to decrease the risk of teen pregnancy, STI’s and HIV/AIDS. Additionally, the NSSC has donated $500,000 to the Mustard Seed Communities to support children living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.
Many young persons have also benefitted from numerous Sexual and Reproductive Health Sessions and Workshops conducted by the Centre’s Youth Information Centres (YICs). Young people from various communities are able to access information through the YICs, and in turn, become counsellors to their peers.
Through its various programmes, the NCYD seeks to give young people make smarter choices about sex. All young persons are invited to be a part of the activities and programmes offered by the Youth Information Centres. Centres are located in Kingston, Portmore, Manchester, Montego Bay and St. Mary and are open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
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