World Sexual Health Day, observed on September 4 annually,
provides the opportunity to galvanize action for the promotion of sexual health
for all, irrespective of age, race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, sexual
orientation, gender identity, health status, national origin or any other human
characteristics.
The reality, though, is that
every day should be Sexual Health Day. Every day, people are faced with the
issues of early sexual debut, unsafe sex practices, the contraction of sexually
transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, and the lack of access to sexual
health information and services. Young women, girls, youth, sex workers and lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender and other queer (LGBTQ+) people are most
affected.
According to “The Situation
Analysis of Adolescent Pregnancy in Guyana” Report (UNICEF, 2018), Guyana recorded
the second highest rate of adolescent pregnancy in Latin America and the
Caribbean, with 19 to 22% of girls becoming pregnant before the age of 18.
In 2014 alone, UNICEF found that
15% of adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 began childbearing and that
62% of adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 have an unmet contraception
need. Additionally, Guyana has noticed an increase in HIV and other STIs among
the youth demographic.
Further to this, discrimination,
stigma, fear, and violence prevent many people from accessing basic sexual
health services.
The Government must do more to realize
our legal right to the highest attainable standard of health. Article 24 of the
Constitution of Guyana provides that every citizen has the right to free
medical attention.
Let us be clear: Guyana must do
more for vulnerable groups and their sexual health. And therefore, ASPIRE Youth
Network - Guyana, Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association’s Youth Advocacy
Movement, SASOD Guyana and SRHR Adventures call on the new PPP/C Government to:
·
Invest in training for healthcare workers to
deliver confidential, youth-friendly, and non-discriminatory services;
·
Invest in mobile clinics and tele-medicine to
deliver sexual health services and care during the COVID-19 pandemic;
·
Provide PrEP for those at substantial risk of
HIV infection in accordance with WHO guidelines;
·
Promote sexual health information on all media
platforms;
·
Conduct age-appropriate, comprehensive sexuality
education in schools; and
·
Support civil society organisations as partners in
addressing sexual health issues in Guyana.
Because sexual health matters; today
and always.
ASPIRE Youth Network – Guyana
Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association’s Youth Advocacy Movement
SASOD Guyana
SRHR Adventurers
