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August 2002
CICH
approaches adolescent sexual health from the perspective of healthy
development. As such, we support the provision of youth-friendly sexual
education and services, in order to protect and promote the health,
well-being, and rights of all youth.
Adolescents as key informants of youth culture and sexual health practices CICH recognizes that youth themselves should serve as key informants about their own sexual perceptions, orientation and lived realities. Therefore, youth consultation should be an integral part of the development of all sexual health services and education programs targeted at adolescents.
Adolescence, a time of enormous growth & development Between the ages of 13 and 18, often termed the "transition years", adolescents are in a dynamic state of learning and change. Their growth and development is influenced by a number of factors, including access to health services, personal health practices, coping skills and social supports, among others.
Abstinence, or education and services? While CICH recognizes that abstinence is an important part of the big message about sexual health, education and access to youth-friendly information and services are essential for protection against STIs, HIV/AIDS, sexual exploitation, and for the postponement of early pregnancy and parenting.
Adolescents respond better to informed choices regarding healthy sexuality When considering the area of sexuality, the developmental tasks of adolescence must be taken into account. They include identity formation, learning to make choices and having services that are supportive of adolescents' growing interest in making their own choices. High priorities are acquiring both social and sexual communication skills, and testing boundaries on all fronts - and adolescents will, whether adults like it or not.
Reframing the dialogue to a rights-based approach results in risk reduction and enhanced health. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 12 states: Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.
'Say It Right!' The unconventional Canadian Youth Edition of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states: having our opinions heard means having the right to make our views known in decisions that affect us ... as we become older, our views should be taken more and more into consideration.
Adolescents need to be able to make informed, supported decisions about their bodies and emotional realities during the transition years from childhood to adulthood. While the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child highlights the essential role of families in supporting the health and well-being of children and youth, it also recognizes the role that the larger community can play in providing youth with good health, good education and protection from disease and exploitation.
By:
Dianne Rogers,
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