Research by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that youth aged between 15 to 24 years make up just over one-quarter of the sexually active population, but account for half of the 20 million new sexually transmitted infections.
According to acting metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe, the event provided a platform for teenagers to educate each other on the risks around being sexually active.
“The month of February is Reproductive Health Awareness Month and as Ekurhuleni, we have chosen to observe the month in this way,” says Gadebe.
“Furthermore, Friday was Valentine’s Day, and keeping our youth’s minds preoccupied with research made them more aware of risks associated with being sexually active at an early age,” he adds.
Gadebe says knockout stages of the competition began on February 6, where learners from the city debated their points under the topic “Striving towards Zero HIV, TB, STI and unwanted pregnancy is a shared responsibility”.
