Today (August 1st, 2010) was no exception – it was a small article, “Child Contraception Law sparks outrage”. The article pertains to changes set out in the new Children’s Act, implemented since April 1, 2010. It mentions that children from the age of 12 and older can make their own consented choices for medical treatment. In the area of contraception, condoms must be provided on request without parental or caregiver’s consent, to a child who is 12 or older.

Just settled into my Sunday Morning ritual, drinking my first cup of coffee, hearing the silence around me (the whole family still asleep) and devouring my Sunday Times newspaper that has been delivered to my doorstep.

As an author of a guide and resource book – HIV & AIDS – the Sunday Times often provides interesting information and articles in my field of interest.

Today (August 1st, 2010) was no exception – it was a small article, “Child Contraception Law sparks outrage”. The article pertains to changes set out in the new Children’s Act, implemented since April 1, 2010. It mentions that children from the age of 12 and older can make their own consented choices for medical treatment. In the area of contraception, condoms must be provided on request without parental or caregiver’s consent, to a child who is 12 or older.

Of course, all the puritanical thinkers came out in full force with comments like “morally unjustifiable” (Moulana Rafeek Shah – Muslim leader), “12 is far too young to make decisions of this kind” (Researcher Raj Govender), and “short -term and short sighted” (Catholic bishop, Father Chris Townsend).

The bottom line Chaps, “Teenagers have sex”.

South Africa has one of the best constitutions in the world. This Children’s Act confirms how forward thinking we are. It is interesting to note that in America (Wisconsin), there is a move away from current thinking and teaching which promotes abstinence only, towards sexual education incorporating the use of birth control and knowledge about STD’s. This is currently in a Bill format being reviewed in the State Legislature. We have to recognize that the ‘Abstinence only’ approach is a “bankrupt idea, which is outdated and simply doesn’t work.” (Pharmacy Online Shop Blog – July 1, 2010).

In the Sunday Times article, activist Nomagugu Ngobese, led parents in a protest march in Pietermaritzburg this week stating that “we are strongly pushing for abstinence because we want an AIDS-free future”. Unfortunately, abstinence programmes have proven to make a bad situation worse in that teenagers who pledge never to have sex until marriage fail to use condoms or other protective means when they realise that the pledge is not very practical (salespharmacy.biz).

There should be a move towards providing accurate information, encouraging healthy attitudes towards sex and protecting oneself. This is what the Children’s Act is about. When it comes to lack of knowledge, we are not only talking about unwanted pregnancies but diseases and infections that can lead to death.

It is time to put sound judgement, and the health of our young children ahead of political and moral judgement. The simple truth is that in South Africa young children are having sex much earlier than 16 and I applaud the new Children’s Act.