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Ministry Against Condoms in Schools

Christopher Graham, national co-ordinator for HIV/AIDS education at the Ministry of Education, said the ministry was aware students were having sex.

"We are aware that a number of them (students) are sexually active and that some are even involved in transactional sex, sometimes for economic reasons," he said.

However, Graham's response to the possibility of condom distribution to students was a resounding no.

"Schools should be no-sex zones and our primary message is abstinence. We encourage students to abstain from sexual activity and early sexual initiation. However, we expose students to other prevention messages such as condom use. But the primary overarching message is abstinence," Graham said.

A recent UNICEF report: Children - The Missing Face Of AIDS, The Situation In Jamaica, shows the average age of first-time sex for girls aged 15 to 24 is 15.8 years, and for boys in the same age range, 13.5-years-old. In many of the liaisons taking place, condom use was minimal.
 
Between 2002 and 2004, 59 adolescents in Jamaica contracted HIV. Of this number, 49 were females. Over the same period, 203 adolescents were reported to have progressed to the AIDS stage, 142 of whom were females.
In the face of these facts, Graham emphatically maintained that the ministry did not promote the distribution of condoms on school campuses. However, in recognition that sexual activity was taking place, the ministry was looking into the possibility of a referral system for such students. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Source: www.nationnews.com



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It is a cruel reality that there is a general attitude of aloofness and disdain towards the issues of HIV/AIDS. Those infected often find themselves battered by the hands of alienation and stigmatisation. In many instances, those who engage in sexual practices that put them at risk prefer to live in denial than face life as an infected person.

Through this comprehensive web portal, we here at the Ministry of Health hope to combat the many ideologies and practices that promote and perpetuate behaviours that may lead to HIV/AIDS infection. We also want to assure those who are at risk and those who have been infected that are places to go and communities that care.

We welcome you to Barbados HIV/AIDS Information Portal and hope that the information provided will be of value to you.

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