‘Open dialogue around teen sexuality’
JOBURG – POP Art was turned into a place to facilitate real talk with teens.
The truth is that teens are having sex and it is the responsibility of the general public to make them aware of the risks and consequences associated with having sexual intercourse.
About 50 per cent of teenagers are sexually active by the age of 17. One in four girls becomes pregnant before turning 19 and there are 2 000 new HIV infections among girls aged 14 to 25 every week. Rape is also endemic.
This was the message delivered at a workshop organised under the auspices of the Mmoho Campaign held at Maboneng’s POP Art Theatre. The Mmoho (meaning to come together) campaign aims to reduce teenage pregnancy.
Questions from high school teenagers at the workshop, mostly from Alexandra, revealed how badly they wanted more information regarding sexual safety. Questions from the schoolchildren ranged from virginity to abortions.
In a frank and spirited presentation, Kgomotso Matsunyane of the Golden Triangle Initiative for Sexual Health said, “[There has to be] a change in the narrative around sexuality if we are to have a hope in hell of protecting young girls from HIV and pregnancy. “Girls are punished and shamed for their sexuality. Boys are encouraged and rewarded for their sexuality. We need to acknowledge kids as sexual beings and build their sexual self-esteem.”
Buhle Mabaso, a consultant for the African Alliance for HIV Prevention, said she was brought up in Zola, Soweto, by her grandmother. “We don’t talk about sex in our culture. All you are told is to stay away from boys.”
Dr Samukelisiwe Nyamathe, who works at a local hospital said she was constantly confronted by evidence of teenagers’ ignorance about sex. “If a pregnant girl of 11 walks through my door, this is because she doesn’t know anything about sex. Telling kids not to have sex doesn’t work. You have to talk about sex.” She added that another difficulty facing girls was the hostility they frequently encountered at clinics and hospitals.
“Something has got to give. Teenagers are having sex at a much younger age because they are exposed to sex so much more on the Internet and television. But they are doing so with very little education. Getting pregnant or HIV positive represents an end to whatever they could become.”
Details: 021 788 9163; info@cmt.org.za
Read: Frequently asked questions about HIV/AIDS in South Africa
