Condoms, sex issues no more a taboo at Jamia

[Guest guest]

Condoms, sex issues no more a taboo at Jamia

Indo-Asian News Service, Updated: September 14, 2010 17:23 IST

New Delhi: Not so long ago, the mere mention of the word " sex " would raise

eyebrows and spark a debate in Jamia Millia Islamia, recall old-timers at the

90-year-old university. Today, however, students freely walk up to a university

facility to collect condoms.

The transformation in outlook towards sex-related issues has occurred partly

because the university has taken the lead in setting up a unique health center,

which not only creates awareness about sex-related health problems like HIV/AIDS

but also educates students on personal hygiene.

" Students used to shy away from any workshop that was related to physical

awareness or sex education for that matter, " Abid Hussain, counsellor at the

Youth Friendly Health Care (YFHC) center in Jamia Millia Islamia, told

reporters.

" But the situation has changed to a great degree. Today students come and ask

for condoms without any hesitation. They want to know about their safety and are

ready to take precautions. Self-awareness is on the rise, " added Hussain.

What started with small Red Ribbon clubs and weekly National Service Scheme

(NSS) workshops is now a path-breaking health-awareness hub in the university,

he said.

The center's main aim is to promote youth health on the campus and create

awareness about prevention of HIV/AIDS. In 2009-10, there were 7,290 people

living with AIDS in the national capital; the disease affects 2.5 million people

in India.

The center has already reached out to nearly 14,000 young people studying in the

sprawling campus of Jamia in the Okhla area of south Delhi.

" From holding private counselling sessions on HIV/AIDS to giving condoms to

students, this centre is creating awareness in every possible way, " said

Hussain, adding that on an average 10-15 students visit it daily.

The center was inaugurated by Delhi Health Minister Kiran Walia Aug 12,

celebrated as the International Youth Day. It was opened in collaboration with

the Delhi State AIDS Control Society (DSACS), under the Delhi government.

Doctors and youth consultants are available round-the-clock for personal

counselling session with any of its 16,000 students.

" We ensure that every student's privacy is respected. Confidentiality is a prime

issue, " added Hussain.

Seeing the popularity of the center, the authorities are now planning to reach

out to more and more students. One way is by roping in the university's Red

Ribbon clubs.

The centre also shares a link with a toll-free helpline that provides guidance

on teenage problems, puberty and other matters of reproductive health.

Emphasising the importance of opening such a center in the university, Faizi O.

Hashmi, project director of the DSACS, said: " The aim was to provide clinical

services to students on campus and simultaneously disseminate information

pertaining to health and youth awareness programmes. It's happening now. "

The Delhi unit is already running 94 integrated counselling test centers, nine

anti-retroviral treatment centers and five drop-in centers for those seeking

medical help on HIV/AIDS in the city. This is their first initiative with a

university, he said.

According to the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) report for 2008-09,

over 35 percent of all reported AIDS cases in India occur among young people in

the age group of 15-24 years, making the group highly vulnerable.

Unprotected sex is suggested to be the prime reason for the disease and also the

transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

" Students want awareness to be presented in an interesting way. So we combine

youth health seminars with vocational trainings such as public speaking and

job-oriented workshops, " Tasveer Khan, who has been organising workshops for the

Jamia centre, told reporters.

Coming in soon at the YFHC is an audio-visual room that would screen

documentaries and create awareness through various other multimedia tools. The

counsellor's room also provides literature on youth health and AIDS awareness.

Students also have a word of praise for the center.

Anjali Arora, a law student in Jamia, told reporters, " We had an hour-long

session on public speaking in the center last week and there was a short skit on

HIV prevention also. "

http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/condoms-sex-issues-no-more-a-taboo-at-jamia-5\

1929?cp