Student organization proposes condom dispenser at University of Malta

Student organization Pulse is proposing installing condom dispensers on University of Malta premises in a bid to promote sexual health education.

"The presence of such dispensers at the highest educational institution on the island will naturally promote the idea that sexual health is an essential part of education to equip students for the realities they will face in the world," social policy co-ordinator Karl Attard said at press conference held at the University of Malta earlier this evening.

Attard added that the proposal would naturally be extended to Junior College and Higher Secondary once the age of consent was lowered.

"Pulse had announced its approval of lowering the age of sexual consent back in January 2013, and the organization is now presenting a number of recommendations on sexual health education," Attard said explaining that all these proposals were aimed at removing the taboo and fear surrounding sexual issues.

"Young people need to be made aware of the best practises and they also need to feel like they are well supported at particularly difficult times," Pulse President Wayne Sammut said, adding that recent survey had revealed that 40.9% of youths had admitted that theyw ere sexually active between the ages of 16 and 18, with a large proportion saying they had done so with partners that they had only just met.

Attard also went into more details about the various proposals being made, adding that all the proposals had been made bearing the current situation in mind.

"Despite the sexual health strategy of 2012, which placed sexual health education under the directorate of health promotion, we feel that more work needs to go into the matter," he said explaining that the group felt that the topic should be managed by an altogether independent department to ensure he subject was given the importance it deserved.

"We think that education on the matter should be more holistic and not left completely up to individual schools.  Sexual health education should be made obligatory for all schools be they state, independent or church schools, and for all age groups."

Attard added that this education should also focus and allow for all sexual orientations.

"Teachers are often viewed as more than mere educators, but also something of a role model, and Pulse believes that they should be  the forefront of education about sexual health," he added.

Sammut also stressed the need for an increased number of sex therapists at schools, and that they should be available to students without the need for permission or parental consent.

"Children and young people spend most of their time at school, so these institutions should offer the right sort of holistic development," Sammut said.

Attard also referred to the fact that the 2012 strategy had led to the opening of a  sex clinic at Mater Dei hospital.

"We think this service should continue and be extended to University of Malta and that these clinics should also be opened at Junior College and Higher Secondary to offer basic aid and information about sexual activity."

Sammut stressed the need for various entities to work together in order to have a more holistic approach.

"We will also be discussing our proposals both with the opposition and with the government, as we feel this is an issue that cannot be politicised," Sammut added, calling for the creation of a more supportive environment for young people  pushing for a more supportive culture.