New contraceptives campaign targets youth

A new campaign has been launched to raise awareness among young people to make the right choices about their sexuality.Health Development and Performance (HDP), in partnership with the Ministry of Health launched the drive last week at Chez Lando Hotel in Remera, Kigali. Dr Gaspard Hakizimana, the country director of HDP, said since parents are the first and best persons who can help young people utilise their value in deciding the right time for sexual intercourse , they should be at the forefront of the campaign.He urged parents to break the silence and inform their children about the importance’s of contraception and how to use them.“The youth should be more informed and better equipment to make the right choices about their sexuality as a way of curbing reckless ‘lifestyle’ that expose them to HIV/Aids infection,” Dr Hakizimana said.He said parents can always link their children to other adults who can help the children when they are too shy to go to their parents with sexuality issues. Role of health practitionersPublic and private clinics that provide sexual and reproductive health services were also urged to counsel youngsters before selling or giving them reproductive health tools, Dr Hakizimana said. “I encourage the media to spread the message about the importance of better sexual and reproductive health for women and young people in the country. We expect to reach or to fulfill our responsibilities and to change the perception of heal-related issues among the youth,” Dr Hakizimana said. Nyaruguru District executive secretary Athanase Karemera said they promote sex education to help youth delay onset of sexual activities, as well as increase access to preventive gadgets such as condoms.