By MARTIN TONNY
Marie Stopes Papua New Guinea (MSPNG) a leading non-government organisation in family planning and sexual reproductive health care have been working very closely with church going men, women and young adolescents of reproductive age in an effort to educate and empower them to make informed choices.
Workshops on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Gender Equity have been and continue to be conducted for church leaders and youth. Peer education training for youths, church advocacy meetings with church leaders and awareness and advocacy with a variety of communities in Port Moresby and proximate areas are also a part of the program of activities that MSPNG has embarked on. As a result the MSPNG team is now putting together accurate, consistent and culturally appropriate information, education and communication materials on family planning and sexual reproductive health that can be used without causing any cultural misunderstanding. Also taken into account with the churches' blessing is stand on issues considered to be sensitive.
Marie Stopes International (MSI) has a long standing history and reputation in family planning and sexual reproductive health care in 40 countries worldwide with Papua New Guinea being the 41st. As such prior to its establishment in PNG, MSI took a conscious stand aimed at identifying any amicably possible means to attend to the sensitivity of teaching sex and sexuality, gender equity, family planning and sexual reproductive health. Since its establishment in August 2006, MSPNG has drawn excellent support for its programs from church leaders and communities in its project area in Port Moresby and proximate areas.
There have also been requests for MSPNG to extend their services to areas not covered by the project. Work is underway to open a centre in Mt Hagen before the end of the year.
"It's been very educational" according to MSPNG director Teresa Jenna "that the experiences so far is giving us the opportunity to coordinate and work together with the government, other non-government organisations, faith based organisations, community organisations to reduce incidences of HIV/AIDS, STI's, increase the knowledge on sexual and reproductive health, provide better family planning services and contribute towards achievement of the National Health Plan 2001 - 2010".
In August 2007, MSPNG conducted a youth peer education training for young adolescents from the Nation's capital, Port Moresby. The peer educators and volunteers, selected by their church leaders, are those who have shown leadership qualities at the church and community level.
Workshop facilitator, Otto Anduari developed pre and post test questions to evaluate participants' knowledge on family planning and sexual reproductive health. The answers collected from the 37 participants showed almost seventy five percent of the participants asked to know more about safe sex - that is when it is ok for someone to have sex without getting pregnant and or getting infected with STIs and HIV/AIDS.
The results, at first glance, clearly point out the youths' lack of knowledge about their bodies and sex itself. And it seems many young people get into intimate relationships without really understanding what their bodies can or cannot do. Interestingly some of the common questions asked at the workshop were, "Will I get pregnant if I have sex standing up?" or "Will I get pregnant if I have sex for the first time?"
These types of questions are a strong indication that there is a real need to develop accurate and appropriate information that addresses issues with sensitivity especially where sex and sex education are concerned.
MSPNG's encounter with a variety of audiences continuously presents itself with crucial discussions in family planning and sexual reproductive health in general. By engaging different age groups in such forums MSPNG has gained greater insight into working collaboratively with service providers and sister institutions in providing Papua New Guineans with options to making healthy choices.
The issue of family planning to many is almost non -existent or is mostly seen as something only a mother should know. At various gatherings of women's groups in the city and some Central Province villages MSPNG discovered that male participation is very small or non-existent. Women at discussions admit that because men are the head of the family, women are obliged to bear children if the father chooses. Women express that discussing with husbands whether or not they should have kids is highly unlikely because the men make the decisions. While this is still common in many cultures, there are women who are now becoming more vocal in dealing with such issues through a variety of associations and groupings in their villages.
Such scenarios greatly assist in the fight for small and manageable families. Many women have now come to realise that Family Planning is not only about spacing of children but is an economical and social dilemma if families are not planned.
During an awareness program at a nearby village we heard tales from mothers that they are losing their husbands to young girls. One of the main reasons is that the women are spending all their energy looking after their many children and attending to their needs and have no time for their husbands. Family Planning can alleviate this kind of problems.
The use of condoms as a Family Planning method, however, is considered with disgust by some. Participants at a Couples' meeting highlighted that condoms and use of condoms as a Family Planning method is losing value because the condom campaign for HIV/AIDS has led people to believe the contraceptive should be and is for promiscuous persons.
This mindset was confirmed by a very senior nurse who explained "Condoms were introduced for family planning purposes but the way most organisations are promoting it now, anyone with condoms is automatically seen as a promiscuous person."
A mother having good intention brings disharmony to the bedroom because he thinks she's 'been sleeping around' and is trying to use condom for protection and vice versa."
Marie Stopes PNG believes that although discussing sex and related issues is taboo yet is critical. As such MSPNG is working with partners and key stakeholders to drive home strong messages on family planning and sexual reproductive health.
"We provide the facts and each individual makes their choices based on the facts."

 

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