By Jayda Jeune | HGP Nightly News
The Ministry of Health’s Adolescent Health Unit, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and UNICEF, with financial support from the High Commission of Canada to Guyana and Suriname, successfully hosted the inaugural Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Youth Symposium and Impromptu Speaking Competition at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.
The landmark event brought together 200 in-school adolescents from Regions Three, Four, and Five, marking a proactive national effort to engage young people in critical conversations surrounding sexual and reproductive health and rights.
The symposium aimed to raise awareness among youth on topics including puberty, contraception, menstrual hygiene, sexually transmitted diseases, and early pregnancies. It also promoted digital responsibility, covering essential areas such as social media safety, online grooming, consent, and building healthy relationships.
In addition to interactive sessions, students showcased their communication and critical thinking skills during the impromptu speaking competition, where they addressed SRH-related issues from a youth perspective.
West Demerara Secondary School emerged as the overall winner, while Beterverwagting Secondary School secured second place, and Bygeval Secondary School placed third. The competition highlighted the confidence, awareness, and leadership of young participants as they spoke passionately on matters affecting their generation.
Officials described the symposium as a significant step toward empowering adolescents with knowledge, encouraging open dialogue on issues that directly impact their health, rights, and overall well-being.
“This initiative represents the beginning of a broader movement to ensure young people have the information, confidence, and support they need to make responsible decisions,” one official stated.
The Adolescent Health Unit states that it will continue to partner with schools and organizations to enhance youth engagement and education on reproductive health and rights throughout Guyana.
