Abstain from The All Blacks campaign, says YWCA

Abstain from The All Blacks campaign, says YWCA

The 'Abstain for the All Blacks' campaign led by Telecom is sending the wrong message, says the YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand.

" The Rugby World Cup is a huge international event and this would have been the perfect opportunity for Telecom to support a safe sex message. We need to be realistic that there will be a lot of sex during the Rugby World Cup and with raising rates of sexually transmitted infections, teenage pregnancy and HIV in New Zealand, we need to be promoting safe sex, not abstinence," says Sarah Davies of the YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Although the YWCA acknowledges the campaign is tongue in cheek they recommend Telecom use this opportunity to do something positive. "Instead of black rubber finger rings that promote abstinence, produce some black male and female condoms for fans. They will get much more use."

The YWCA also highlights that there is worldwide research that indicates abstinence only messages have no effect on teen sexual behavior. "We do sexual and reproductive health and rights education and information events as the YWCA and we are well aware that young and old alike are having sex in New Zealand. It would be great if Telecom could have used this campaign to promote safe sex and we urge them to do so as they roll out this campaign."

The YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand and Positive Women Inc. are currently holding regional events to raise awareness of the female condom in New Zealand. "Most Kiwis have never seen one and although they are gaining popularity at slower rate than the male condom, the young women are very receptive to learning about them and at least trying them out."

" The YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand is right behind the All Blacks and just like everyone else in the country , have our fingers crossed for an All Black win. We simply urge Telecom to now take this campaign and turn it into a safe sex message, " says Davies.

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