ON International Youth Day, to be observed on August 12, the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) will present its ‘Youths Promoting Healthy Lifestyles Campaign’ under the theme: “Respect Your Body, Protect Your Body”.

A press statement from the GRPA said the campaign aims to equip youths with information and education to make wise choices regarding healthy bodies, healthy sexual relationships, and use of appropriate family planning and contraceptive methods.

A youth outreach programme is scheduled to be held at the City Mall on Saturday, August 10 between 10:00 hrs and 14:00 hrs, to increase awareness on the initiative, and the services youths can benefit from at GRPA, the release informed.

A three-day youth camp, supported by the Caribbean and North American Council for Mission, is also scheduled to be held from August 15 to 18. It will include young people from Jamaica, Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago, The Dominican Republic, Cuba and Curacao.

Youths will be motivated to promote good practices through stories/testimonies, drama, music and educational workshops on gender, sexuality, personal development and advocacy skills.
They will also be equipped with education and skills in sexual and reproductive health & rights, and will develop a public campaign to promote healthy lifestyles.

The association has also awarded Ms. Deandra (Bobby) Walker, a Youth Intern, the status of GRPA Youth Ambassador for her outstanding work on sexual and reproductive health & rights, and her contribution to the advancement of the association’s youth work.

GRPA Executive Director, Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth, said young people must be supported to take leadership on critical issues facing the nation, such as violence and the erosion of human values. “In light of the recent acts of violence seen in the media, GRPA believes the ‘Youths Promoting Healthy Lifestyles’ campaign will help with eliminating violence and motivating people to take action against such acts of violence,” she said.