NFPB to Expand Provision of Information

The National Family Planning Board (NFPB) is at an advanced stage of implementing an internet based approach to expand and enhance the service delivery of sexual reproductive health information and products among adolescents and the youth.

The online platform, dubbed ‘Teen 360’, seeks to educate, advocate for and interact with Jamaicans within the 10-19 age group on numerous topics, such as sex education, health promotion, life skills, development and reproductive health.

In an interview with JIS News, Executive Director of the NFPB, Mrs. Sannia Sutherland, said “we are providing a virtual space for persons to access information anonymously and confidentially.”

“The site will facilitate age appropriate sex and sexuality concerns and referrals. We are committed to honesty in our responses to questions, because honesty is a critical concern for young people,” she added.

She explained that the web platform would have integrated social media capabilities, including Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and Whatsapp as well as video content support services.

“There will be various outlets to access the site…and messages will be healthy, accurate and timely,” Mrs. Sutherland said.

The project was introduced to the NFPB after research by UNESCO uncovered that young people are heavily using online platforms.

According to Mrs. Sutherland, a multi-sectoral effort to develop an integrated platform was proposed. This would provide a hub through which all youth-serving organizations can share information, services and any other activity.

The Executive Director said that the themes will be localized and varied. “Matters to be discussed include relationships, sexual health, hygiene, personal development, self expression, self esteem, self confidence, love, dating and peer pressure.

“It will be a hub where agencies will go to seek the input of youth. We want the young people to own the space. It will be a different mechanism to engage them, one that they can trust. They will have access to games, information and links to other sites. It will provide a forum for real discussion,” she explained.

The project is being implemented with support from the UNESCO Kingston cluster office for the Caribbean.