Dr. Avnish Jolly, 31st October, 2008 :In an era with eye-catching communications on fashion, lifestyle, diverse facets of relationships and brand / trendy awareness, it is important to reinforce neutral behaviour among adolescents along with values through necessary life / communication skill information. We can impart training in Young Ambassadors under Adolescent Education Programme in four important aspects of the awareness project — how to better their knowledge, how to better their communication with other children, what are the difficulties in teaching other children about HIV/AIDS and how to overcome them. Under the National policy we must stressed upon ABC and step wise and advocates accordingly:
A – Abstinence
B – Be faithful to your partner
C – Use Condom
Adolescent Education Programme in Schools will be implemented to build capacities of adolescents and to prepare them for facing new challenges of in their daily life. This programme is designed for senior students of Class IX onwards with objectives to enhance essential value enhanced Life Skills for coping and managing concerns of adolescence through co-curricular activities (CCA). The Life Skills usually addressed are Creative and Critical thinking, Self Awareness and Self Esteem, Decision Making and Problem Solving, Inter-Personal Relationships and Effective Communication, Coping with Stress and Coping with Emotions. To provide accurate knowledge to students and also develop healthy attitudes and responsible behaviour about process of growing up, HIV/AIDS and substance abuse and to promote respect for the opposite sex and deal with gender stereotypes.
More then 22% of India’s population is between 10-19 years of age, representing a vibrant human resource and adolescence is a period of formative dynamic transitions. So what happens in the future largely depends to a large extent on decisions taken by adolescence as they entire their reproductive years and with ever increasing threat of growing Drug/substance abuse, gender discrimination, child abuse, HIV/AIDS infections, Suicides amongst young people it is high time that we realize the importance of this initiative and take corrective measures. An important part of the initiative is of the opinion that ignorance is root cause of all evils and only through proper dissemination of knowledge can the life of our students be secured.
Young people may prefer to talk to and listen to other youngsters on HIV/AIDS problems. If we find it is effective, then we will have youngsters taking to HIV/AIDS awareness program across the country. We will make youth intervention in HIV/AIDS a national project. We must involve them in institutions which hold reins of development in the field of economics, health and sustainable development.
The children, in the course of the program, create Teen Clubs that all children can join to feel safe and secure in case they are afflicted by HIV/AIDS. Given the stigma, children look towards social groups to share their anxieties and the clubs work towards offering protection. The decision to get them to work in particular districts was based on assessment of HIV/AIDS prevalence — the highest prevalence districts got a preference and participate in Red Ribbon Express.
We can’t hide from children such things when they are seeing it all on television. We can’t be hypocritical and should not forget that 15 per cent are teenage pregnancies. Who can talked about their reproductive rights and stressed upon the point with the correct knowledge of reproductive rights one can improve health system related to reproductive and sexual health issue. Now that you are in a physical relationship you probably assume that you know all there is to know. But sex advice does not begin and end with protected sex. While it is important to have protected sex there are a few other things that you must know. Make sure you and your partner get tested for HIV, AIDS and other STIs before you indulge in sexual congress and follow these Ten Steps like one to ten.
1. Even though you are free of any venereal disease, make sure you have protected sex. This will prevent the possibility of any sexual infection or unwanted pregnancy.
2. Remember, birth control pills are effective only if you take them a month before you start having sex and you need to continue taking them as long as you have sex. If you miss taking the pill for even a day and you have had unprotected sex, you could get pregnant.
3. Most couples believe that standing up or jumping immediately after unprotected sex will prevent unwanted pregnancies. This is a myth bacause if you have had unprotected sex, you can get pregnant or even get sexually transmitted diseases.
4. Most women in India get married early and are sexually active at an early age. Cervical cancer spreads because women are sexually active and bear children at an early age. So get a Pap smear test done just to be on the safe side.
5. If your body does not produce enough natural lubrication, you can use lubricants available in the market. Check with your gynaecologist about the brands available.
6. Stay monogamous. While being with several men may be the trend these days, remember that you are exposing yourself to a host of STDs. So stick to one man and stay safe.
7. Video recording sex sessions are not a good idea, especially if you are not married to the man. While it may be over-the-top to do it, it is also very risky. You never know where the tape may land up. So say no to video-recording.
8. If you are uncomfortable with having sex with your partner for whatever reason, it is okay for you to say no. Only do things that you are comfortable with. You do not have to be a ‘Yes’ woman.
9. Make sure that you get a complete medical test done annually once you are sexually active. Incase you suspect STDs, get yourself tested for it. There is nothing to be ashamed or scared about. Get yourself treated before it is too late.
10. Are you bored of your sex life? Then experimenting with foreplay and sex always helps spice things up.
So go ahead play carefully, stay safe and stay protected.