Old enough for sex but too young for getting a HIV test or free condoms

Quote:

When Rey* first got an HIV test, his mother went with him. He was 17 and her consent was required by law. “My mum and I are pretty close. She has no issues about me being gay and is really supportive. But I know a lot of my friends wouldn’t dare bring their mums with them to get an HIV test,” says Rey, from Palawan. His test came back positive and although it frightened him, Rey couldn’t say he was surprised. Sexual initiation came early but condom use did not. He was 14 when he had his first sexual encounter; 16 when he tried to buy condoms at the local pharmacy. Condoms were placed behind the counter. Rey had to endure the awkwardness of telling the cashier he wanted to buy condoms and the knowing looks he got. ... The Philippines, an archipelago of more than 100 million people in south-east Asia, is experiencing a surge in infections. Of the more than 40,000 people living with HIV, the majority were diagnosed in the past five years and many are young men (pdf). Activists blame the increase on outdated laws and the grip of the Catholic church, which has sought to restrict safe sex programmes, sex education and efforts to distribute condoms to at-risk groups. Homosexuality is legal, but the law prohibits people under 18 from getting an HIV test or taking free condoms from public health clinics without parental consent. Attempts by politicians to lower the age of testing without consent to 15 failed to gain sufficient support, leaving many young people without the means to protect themselves.

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More evidence showing that Catholic teachings about not using contraceptives, together with politicians unwilling to ignore the unreasonable objections of conservative parents regarding sexual education and health, is a great way to sustain the HIV pandemic.

via International Skeptics Forum http://ift.tt/2a0o5BO