Planned Parenthood Youth Arm educates students on sex, abstinence

Students from several secondary schools and the SVG Community College were earlier this week engaged in a three-day workshop, during which they learned about sexual health.{{more}}

The workshop was hosted by the Youth Arm of the SVG Planned Parenthood Association, and it ran from Monday, April 2 to Wednesday, April 4, 2012. It took place at the SVG Planned Parenthood Association’s office at Lower Kingstown Park.

The topics covered during the workshop were Sex, Dating and Relationships, sexual heath, including information on pap smears, penile swabs and other clinical services offered at the SVG Planned Parenthood Association, HIV/AIDS and Self Esteem and Self Image, and peer pressure, among others.

Coordinator of the programme Chickeria Cumberbatch stated that the workshop is aimed at educating young people on sexual and reproductive health and their rights. She added that the young persons are expected to apply the information gathered to their lives and also to help in educating their peers.

Cumberbatch stated that one of the main issues identified during the workshop was anger management, as it was discussed during the workshop that youths have problems controlling their anger. Cumberbatch added that youths were also encouraged to abstain from sexual activity and informed about the importance of not having sex at a young age.

Alicia Kydd, a student of the Thomas Saunders Secondary and a participant of the 3-day workshop, told SEARCHLIGHT that she was having a great experience thus far.

SEARCHLIGHT visited the workshop on Tuesday, April 3. Kydd stated that she had learnt about avoiding things which would affect her negatively, whether now or in the near future. She especially remembered the discussion on abstinence.

Fellow Thomas Saunders student Azizi Stephen also stated that she had a great experience and enjoyed interaction with the fellow participants, while Slyvanus James of the Dr. JP Eustace Memorial Secondary School said he learned how to exhibit self control.(OS)