The age limit of Indians becoming sexually active is declining rapidly. With a rise in pre-marital sex among people in 15-19 years age, sexually transmitted infections, including AIDS, are spreading equally rapidly. It has been estimated that half the HIV infected people worldwide are between 15 and 24 years of age.
In an official statement released today, the spokesperson of Christian Medical College and Hospital said that approximately one fourth of the world population and three out of five lives in the developing world are between 10 and 19 years of age. In many countries, including India, a good percentage of the young people are sexually experienced by the age 19.Unequal power relation between men and women renders young women especially vulnerable to forced or unwanted sex. This results in teenage pregnancy followed by unsafe abortion practices. This is adversely affecting the sexual and reproductive health of young people in developing countries like India.
But the problem is that there is a stigma attached to sex, and hesitate to discuss their problems with others. There is a dire need to address such issues and work out the solutions. Considering the need to educate people about this grim scenario, CMCH is conducting a seminar on Adolescent Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS, for the teachers and heads of high and senior secondary schools on November 26.
