TAKING SEXUALLY INFORMED DECISIONS



From Us to You THIS VALENTINE

Sexuality is a central aspect of being human throughout life and encompasses sex, gender identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy and reproduction.  Sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviours, practices, roles and relationships.  While sexuality can include all of these dimensions, not all of them are always experienced or expressed (World Health Organization).  One may even say that young people are faced with the most sexuality-related issues, this is because the peak of human development, including sexual development, is experienced during the adolescence and youthful age. 
The youthful age is the stage that most of us take critical/experimental decisions about our sexuality, including forming relationships. A relationship can be intimate, friendship, family or based on work.  Once a young person enters an intimate relationship, there are a series of subsequent choices/decisions we make that have notable implications for their overall development, health, well-being, academic/career advancement, aspirations, and future social status amongst others. Building a healthy relationship is important as this forms part of our growth and development, and the start to building a healthy relationship is making informed decisions.

ARE YOU ON THE SAME PAGE?
In an intimate relationship, like any equal partnership, it is crucial that you both discuss and agree on your individual preferences and mutual goal for the relationship as individuals have different personalities, upbringing and socio-cultural values.
It is necessary that you choose your partner carefully, and clearly express your relationship needs and preferences. Let the other party know, for example, if you are ready, willing and able to legally engage in sexual intercourse or if you would like to abstain.
It would be in your interest to disengage if you have very varying preferences. This way, you can both express love and intimacy in ways congruent with your values, and avoid exploitative or manipulative relationships as well as take responsibility for mutual action/behaviour.

AVOIDING UNPLANNED PREGNANCY & RELATED PROBLEMS
Once preferences and relationship goals have been established, it is important that you know which sexually healthy options are available for you, according to your peculiar needs.
In as much as we may want to enjoy our sexuality as we want, it is necessary to discriminate between life-enhancing sexual behaviours and those that are harmful and Seek new information to enhance our sexuality.

For young people of reproductive age, abstinence is our best protection against unplanned pregnancy and other sex-related problems like Sexually Transmitted Diseases. However, if we are sexually active, there are available options that offer safe and healthy protection against unintended pregnancies.
The Ghana Health Service and other Sexual and Reproductive Health organizations like Marie Stopes Ghana have in place measures to ensure that young people have access to quality and affordable sexual health care. There are specially trained youth-friendly service providers available specifically to attend to your needs. Visit any nearby Ghana Health Service clinic or Marie Stopes centre to discuss your contraceptive our unplanned pregnancy management issues.

A VALENTINE’S WISH
Now we know the service providers will tell you this when you visit, but as an advisory board we cannot really help making this petition; please CONDOMIZE, like really do not joke with your condoms. We have mentioned discussing your sexual preferences and relationship goals, we want to suggest that dual protection be included in your list of preferences and be among those values you insist on!!!
Oh you didn’t know? Condoms are the only contraceptives that offer protection against pregnancy AND Sexually Transmitted Diseases, yep double/dual protection. We do not want to sound like doomsayers, but in as much as we hope your partner is faithful, can we ever be sure? Your partner may not have a disease, but the person your partner may cheat on you with, may have another partner, who has another partner, who had sexual intercourse with someone who has a sexual partner who has HIV. Your Sexual Health and Life is too important for you to compromise on.

Now armed with this information,
Go forth & CONDOMIZE!
  
                We wish you a happy Valentine’s!!!

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