It is time to reopen the conversation about lowering Barbados’ age of access to sexual and reproductive health care, says executive director of the Barbados Family Planning Association (BFPA), Anderson Langdon.
He was speaking to the media yesterday following the official launch of the association’s new headquarters at Harmony Hall, St Michael.
“The age of access is 18 and the age of consent [to legally have sex] is 16. I am suggesting we have a conversation about making the age of 16 both the age of access and consent because we are seeing our young people being more sexually active . . . and are not seeking testing or informing their parents.
“My concern is those who are at risk [for pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection (STI)] who are under 18 may feel uncomfortable accessing health care as one, they don’t want to tell their parents and two, stigma and discrimination,” he said.
Langdon, however, said it was not one particular age group at risk as STIs were on the rise in general in all ages and genders. As such, he said it was necessary to engage in more educational programmes. (CA)