1. SRH : Information and Services for Young People
Needs – Obstacles - Experiences
Dr. Alfred Merkle
April 2006

2. Youth : Hope and Future

3. Youth : The neglected Issue in Health
20 % of worlds population yrs
“The sin of omission” in PHC
Sexual Health : Taboo and denial
Critical development of life - skills

4. Youth at high risk for STD/HIV
Limited access, non-or incorrect use of condoms
Failure to seek treatment
Multiple partners or partners with multiple partners
Limited or wrong knowledge of STDs/HIV
Discrimination of girls
Violence,rape

5. Knowledge of STD/HIV: From where ? When ? How?
From schools : often konservative teatchers, sexuality – education biological, not skill-oriented
Health Services: often medicalized, limited access for youth
Families: Limitation of “Parental guidance”
Peers : Often the best accepted source
Innovative approaches :Youth-Cafe´s, telefon-hotline , workplace –programs, theatre,action-research
Be aware : Porn / Internet ! Respect? Trust? Emphasis on discrimination , violence

6. Services : Prevention, Counseling, Diagnosis, Treatment
Information must come with accessible and effective services
Youth-friendly services : Confidentiality, reliability, no dicrimination
Integrated in Health services ?
Prevention should not be medicalised
Aim : Informed choice , responsible sexual behaviour , empowerment

7. Responsible Sexuality : Behaviour , practice
Aims at Informed choice and empowerment
Abstinence as the solution ?
Victims of poverty – lack of choice
Victims of discrimination
Support, help and protection in a group

8. Sexual rights : Essential element of Human rights
Decide freely and responably on all aspects of their sexuality, including protecting and promoting their sexual and reproductive health
Bee free of dicrimination, coercion or violence in their sexual lives and in all sexual decisions
Expect and demand equality, full consent, mutual respect, and shared responsability in sexual relationships