Free condoms at fetes

Advocates for Safe Parenthood: Improving Reproductive Equity (ASPIRE) and Advocates for Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (AYSHR) have joined together for “Rated S”—their 2004 Carnival Project promoting sexual responsibility and educating men, women and youths about their sexual health.

Gleeson Job, a member of AYSHR’s coordinating committee, told Newsday that thousands of condoms will be distributed at fetes, bars, mas camps and panyards “from Toco to Carenage.” He said jars of condoms will be placed at strategic points in mas camps “once the bandleaders agree.” Pan yards and fetes (eg licensing, Brass Festival) will be targetted. Gleeson said fete promoters will be approached for consent to allow AYSHR representatives inside to make condoms available. He said if they do not agree, then they will work from outside. Between 2,000-3,000 condoms will be free for the public to access at each fete. “If you look at the statistics, HIV is very high and Carnival is a very sexually active time of year. We are thinking if you have sex, protect yourself.” The female condom will also be available although there is a limited supply. Gleeson said AYSHR would be willing to support a national abstinence programme, but until a plan is in place the sensitisation programme will continue.

The youth organisation has been criticised by some sections of society for its campaign at schools last year, but Gleeson said it is not about condom distribution. “Along with the condoms, you have information cards on the things you should do,” he said. AYSHR is hoping to reach 30,000-50,000 people for Carnival. After the festive seasons of Christmas and Carnival, TT has a “significant” number of pregnancies and abortions said Glennis Hyacenth, executive director of ASPIRE. Speaking at the launch of the Carnival project at YMCA, Wrightson Road, Hyacenth said ASPIRE’s research shows that 3,000-4,000 women are hospitalised annually because of complications from unsafe abortions.

“Our estimates are $1 million is spent every month treating these women who end up in the hospitals.” She said unplanned pregnancies result from the failure of the “tricky balancing act” of most men and women to reconcile two aspect of their lives — sexual intercourse and the wish or reluctance to have children. She said levels of maternal deaths and illness due to abortion have fallen dramatically in countries where abortion laws have been liberalised. Hyacenth said AYSHR and ASPIRE want to inform and educate the public about the importance of sexual responsibility sexual behaviour, and general sexual education.