AIDS Secretariat continues its Valentine’s promotion

29.FEB.08

The National AIDS Secretariat is continuing its series of educational and awareness sessions in schools throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines.{{more}}

The sessions form part of the Secretariat’s annual education and awareness initiatives, which aim to encourage persons to think carefully about their actions and decisions relative to Valentine’s celebrations.

The National AIDS Secretariat has identified Valentine’s Day, which is observed on February 14th, as it has Carnival, as one of the events that merits special attention and intervention for dealing with issues pertinent to HIV/AIDS in particular and sexuality in general. The current initiative is focusing on empowering the target groups to make sensible decisions and choices, relative to their sexual and reproductive health.

The campaign is primarily targeting young people in fourth and fifth forms and beyond. Recent data indicate that not only is the age group 15 -35 the most affected by HIV, but there is also evidence which indicates that teenage and unwanted pregnancies are once again on the increase.

The sessions continued on Tuesday, February 26th, at the Georgetown Secondary School from 1.00 in the afternoon, and moved to the Girls’ High School on Thursday, February 28th. They will move to Union Island in the Grenadines today Friday, February 29th.