28 Sep 2010

Save the Children targets children in safe sex campaign

4:20 pm on 28 September 2010

Save the Children Solomon Islands says a new sexual and reproductive health resource centre for children will help prevent the spread of HIV, AIDs and sexually transmitted diseases.

The centre opens today and provides basic information on sexual and reproductive health for students and children who do not attend school.

A Save the Children project officer in Honiara, Nerol Vaekesa says the trend has been to focus on other high risk groups but says it's important for young people to learn about safe sex.

"So the aim here is to help children to come in and get information on sexual and reproductive health, STIs and HIV, to help them and the country to reduce the risk behaviour and vulnerabilities to HIV and ST infections among children aged ten to 15 years in the capital."

Nerol Vaekesa says Solomon Islands social and economic conditions mean there is an increased risk of infection and vulnerability to HIV.