Below are my comments to another student doing a project at school.
Comments by: Cheryllyn Dudley MP ACDP
The African Christian Democratic Party has raised concerns that Health Minister Motsoaledi’s recent call for condoms to be distributed in schools will not solve problems and will in fact exacerbate them by encouraging underage sexual activity.
The ACDP believes it is very important to delay sexual activity for as long as possible and that it is not acceptable for government to hand out condoms to children because it sends a message which condones and encourages early sexual activity. This strips young people of important reasons for protecting themselves and abstaining from sexual experimentation. Young people are vulnerable to peer and other pressure and need all the help they can get not to give in to it.
Young people who have managed to significantly delay sexual activity, tell us they managed simply because they did not give themselves an option. The experience of other countries indicates that condom distribution encourages a culture of casual sex and risky sexual behaviour.
The National Association of People Living with HIV and AIDS refer to teenage pregnancy as if eliminating the inconvenience of a baby would make it ok to ignore the real problems of teachers and “sugar-daddys” taking advantage of - and abusing young girls. This also ignores the fact that some girls get pregnant because they want to - for various reasons. Pregnancy in School has become an accepted practice and no amount of condoms would dissuade these girls.
Distribution of condoms at schools puts young people who may have thought better of becoming sexually active at risk of giving in to the pressure – largely because they now have fewer reasons to draw on for saying NO!
Few people would argue with the fact that it is important for young people to delay sexual activity for as long as possible – allowing for children to be children – free of the emotional struggles and turmoil that come with being physically intimate without the security of marriage.
Early sexual activity and teen pregnancy are not what we want for our children but this will continue to be the situation if we persist in throwing condoms at the problems. If we want a different reality it will require real work:
- Addressing poverty
- Changing mindsets
- Building young people’s self esteem
- Awareness campaigns and day to day mentoring and teaching on valuing oneself and making choices that result in positive outcomes in life – the childs life, their childrens lives and generations to come
- Teaching children from very little not to let people touch their private parts and to tell an adult they trust if someone does
Giving up on our children is not helpful – the reality we face is daunting but our children are worth the effort. Of course we can never protect every child from this experience but we can try – and the investment in their lives will be worth it in other ways as well.
We need more counsellors in schools to advise, guide and help young people stay strong in valuing themselves and their futures - also helping young people who have made risky choices and are reaping negative consequences.
What we are actually facing - but not even attempting to deal with is ‘statutory rape’ – older people taking advantage of children who are vulnerable due to lack, need and emotional immaturity. Condoms are the easy way out for parents and politicians and do not address the problem. Our children deserve more.
“Human rights are valueless if we fail to value human life.
The suggestion that abortion on demand will stop illegal abortions is being used to pressurise countries, particularly in Africa, into passing abortion laws that have absolutely no regard for human life yet the truth is plain to see...legal abortion increases and illegal ones continue as they did before. Baby deaths in general increase as well if South Africa is anything to go by. Arguments that abortion must be legal because it will happen anyway are indefensible.
Many of the arguments for abortion were used in defending slavery centuries ago. Abuse of every kind is unlikely to ever be eradicated yet it cannot be condoned. We must do everything possible to protect every child... those who are wanted and those who are said to be unwanted, those whose parents can afford them and those who can't.
While well meaning people...and those with their own agenda’s speak up for what they call women’s rights, legalising abortion on demand denies helpless babies even the right to life.
The ACDP would like to see Abortion legislation at the very least, ensuring informed choice. Presently legislation does not protect women who should receive comprehensive counselling. To enable a mother to give fully informed consent for any termination of her pregnancy she must have access to a scan showing the developing baby inside her and must be able to fully consider both the extent of the risks involved in continuing the pregnancy and the risks involved in terminating the pregnancy, the risk of breast cancer, depression, future difficulties in conceiving and bearing children and available alternatives to abortion including adoption and state or other support that is available.
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