KINGSTON, Jamaica — In observance of Safer Sex Week 2026 and in the lead-up to International Condom Day, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Jamaica is reinforcing two key advocacy priorities: advancing comprehensive sexuality education in Jamaican schools and strengthening its role as a trusted public health partner nationwide.

Through direct engagement with students in Kingston, St Andrew and St Ann, AHF Jamaica delivered evidence-based, rights-focused sexual health education to more than 127 young people across the island.

On Tuesday, February 10, AHF Jamaica launched its outreach in the Kingston and St Andrew area, visiting Calabar High School, Haile Selassie High School and Kingston Technical High School. The sessions targeted upper school students between the ages of 16 and 18, addressing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), human rights, consent, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Students were given a practical overview of the reality of STIs in Jamaica, including how infections are transmitted, how they are treated and how they affect young people like themselves.

Lesa James Richardson, Education Officer, Ministry of Education Skills, Youth & Information and Mario Smith, HFLE Teacher, Hailie Selassie High School

Rather than shy away from conversations that are often considered uncomfortable, the AHF Jamaica team created a safe and respectful space to bridge the gap between the informal social conversations young people are already having and the factual, medically accurate information they deserve.

By grounding the discussions in human rights and bodily autonomy, AHF Jamaica reinforced the message that safer sex is not just about protection, but about empowerment, informed decision-making, consent and dignity.

“We are so grateful for this partnership. There is a lot of misinformation happening right now, especially on social media. What AHF did today was to bring the right information to them at the student level so they can understand and make healthier life choices,” said Health and Family Life Education teacher at Hailie Selassie High School, Mario Smith.

The outreach continued beyond Kingston. Later in the week, on Wednesday, February 11, AHF Jamaica engaged students at Moneague College in St Ann in partnership with the North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA). The students were sensitised on SRHR, human rights, consent and STIs.

Students of the Moneague College in St. Ann posing with AHF Jamaica branded bags, books, and umbrellas following their Sexual and Reproductive Health Session on Wednesday, February 11

The session also included a dedicated presentation on pap smears and human papillomavirus (HPV), explaining the procedure and addressing common fears that often prevent young women from taking proactive steps toward protecting their health. By normalising conversations around screening and early detection, the initiative sought to reduce stigma and encourage young people to take leadership over their own well-being.

“This was a refreshing experience, learning new things about pap smears, sexually transmitted infections, and the risks associated with unprotected sex, as well as the importance of getting screened. Hopefully, AHF Jamaica will be able to make visits like these more often, because I believe the entire student body would benefit from being exposed to this kind of information,” said Mikayla Brown, a student of Moneague College.

The week’s activities will culminate in AHF Jamaica’s flagship International Condom Day event on Thursday, February 20 at the St Ann Medical Wellness Centre.

While International Condom Day is officially observed on February 13, the health fair will extend the celebration of protection and prevention by offering free HIV testing, pap smears and other essential health services to the wider community. The event highlights AHF Jamaica’s ongoing commitment not only to advocacy and education, but also to providing accessible, community-based healthcare.

“Young people in Jamaica deserve comprehensive, accurate and rights-based sexuality education. It’s a disservice to meet them with silence, stigma and fear,” Advocacy Manager at AHF Jamaica, Kayla Wright, said.

She continued, “When we equip youth with knowledge about consent, protection and their health rights, we are not encouraging risky behaviour; we are empowering responsible decision-making. Safer sex starts with informed youth.”

This International Condom Day, AHF Jamaica’s message remains clear: comprehensive sexuality education, accessible health services and open conversations are essential components of public health. By meeting young people where they are and equipping them with knowledge grounded in rights and science, the organisation is helping to build a generation of Jamaicans that is informed, empowered and unafraid to take control of its health.