Youth partnership platform established
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 18, 2012: A State level youth partnership platform to discuss on sexual health and rights among youths with stake-holders has been established in a workshop held at Hotel Nirmala today.

The workshop which focused on the importance of having a common platform for addressing youth and sexual health right issues was organised by Action Project of SASO under the aegis of India HIV/AIDS Alliance and in collaboration with Awaken Artisan Shelters Association and Future Development Drug Users' Organisation.

Speaking at the occasion, general secretary SASO, Shashikumar said that HIV/AIDS is considered as major public health issue throughout the world and the initiative taken up in responding the epidemic should cover the youths.

He maintained that the youths should be provided education on sexual health and rights.

Lack of sexual health information and services places these young people at risk for pregnancy, abortion, sexually transmitted infections (STI), and HIV/AIDS, he added.

He further added that many young people are sexually experienced, and unprotected sexual intercourse also places youth at risk of unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion, and infection with STIs including HIV.

But stigma associated with the issue and lack of youth friendly sexual health services in the State hampered the youths in accessing SRH services, he said.

Shashikumar further informed that SASO, in order to address the issues, implementing the Action project and organised the workshop with an aim to initiate a youth's platform after having proper consultation with different stakeholders.

SASO would look for additional aids to strengthen the sexual health services for the youths in the State.

NRHM nodal officer Dr Ibemcha informed that NRHM started adolescent friendly health clinics at PHCs and CHCs.

The clinic provided services such as iron tablet, health and nutrition counselling and other health promotion programme for the adolescent specifically for the girls.

Deputy Director SACS, Dr Romi said that the physiological changes occurred during the adolescent stage should be addressed properly as it is one of the most stressful period in human life.

During the workshop, James Robertson, Country Director, India HIV/AIDS alliance also spoke on the topic "contextualising the action project at State, National and global levels." Moderated by senior journalist Irengbam Arun, youth leaders of Action Project, Silvia and RK Ashish spoke on the objectives for initiating the platform while Bijaya and Jadumani on their hardships experienced in the formation the said platform.

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