Dear Editor
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 realise 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
Regards
SASOD Guyana
SRHR Adventurers
