‘Tek Charge’ – Focus of Safer Sex Week

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security will be observing Safer Sex Week from February 12 to 18, 2012, under the theme: ‘Tek charge! Condom: check HIV Test: check Less Partners: check’.

Programmes Manager for HIV at the Ministry, Peta-Gay Pryce, informs JIS News that the week’s activities is geared towards sensitising  persons about  the importance of taking charge of their sex lives, by using a condom, getting an HIV Test, and also reducing the number of partners.

The week of activities commences on Monday (February 13), with a sensitisation exercise at the Ministry. Miss Pryce said this activity will assist employees to understand the importance of practising safe sex, as the best responsible action against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

“Throughout the week, representatives from the Ministry will be engaged in a series of telephone and radio interviews, as well as discussions to promote safe sex,” she said.

On Thursday (February 16), the Ministry will be staging an Awards Ceremony at its Head Office, in recognition of last year’s HIV in the Workplace Awareness Competition winners.

“The competition enabled staff members, trained as peer educators and counsellors, to educate their respective departments about HIV, which were audited based on the criteria that were provided,” she said. 

The activities will continue on February 17 with another sensitisation exercise, which involves several private sector companies enrolled in the HIV-Voluntary Compliance Programme (VCP).     

“We will be focusing on direct private sector companies which are a part of the VCP, looking at behaviour change. These companies have signed on to the programme, so we will be assisting persons to make their own self assessments in an effort to mange and reduce the risk of transmission,” she informed.

The VCP is one of the measures being implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to get organisations to voluntarily join the International Labour Organisation (ILO) HIV/AIDS Workplace Education Programme, before the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Miss Pryce told JIS News that the Ministry remains committed to sensitising both the public and private sectors about the importance of safe sex practices, to reduce the risk of HIV and other communicable diseases in Jamaica.

By Jeneva Gordon, JIS PRO