Think more about sex on valentines day – FPA says

Think more about sex on valentines day – FPA says

The Family Planning Association challenge to New Zealanders this Valentines Day is to think and talk more about sex.

FPA Executive Director, Dr Gill Greer says it’s clear that New Zealanders aren’t thinking enough about sex – or at least not about safer sex and positive relationships.

“We have confirmation of the high level of unprotected sex because of the increasing rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections like chlamydia and gonorrhoea. New Zealand’s teen pregnancy statistics also reinforce the point, given we have the third highest numbers in the developed world as outlined last week in an OECD report.

“Talking about sex is not easy for New Zealanders, but it is a skill we must develop. When we look around the world, it is the countries with open and positive attitudes to sex – like the Netherlands - that have the lowest teen pregnancy and STI statistics. To reduce their statistics by 75 percent, the Netherlands encouraged open communication between parents and their young people, comprehensive sexuality and relationship education as well as tackling the social factors.”

Dr Greer said this Valentines Day is a chance to think and talk about positive and healthy relationships.

“New Zealanders need to minimise the risky behaviour and always using a condom during sexual intercourse is a positive way to manage our sexual relationships.”

FPA in association with Durex has developed a poster campaign for this Valentines Day and bright red posters depicting a rose made out of condom wrappers are plastered around the country. The tagline of the poster is “...he loves me, he loves me not. He loves me! Postcards with the same image will be distributed through cafes around New Zealand. It also carries the commitment Tiaki Tou Whakapapa – taking care of our present and future generations.

FPA educators in Hamilton, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch and Hawkes Bay are organising pavement art events for young people to encourage thought about the safer sex and positive relationship message highlighted by the poster.

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