Maybe you know or have heard of a teenager who became pregnant unintentionally. Or perhaps you have had this experience? It is certainly quite common – in 2017 nearly 123 000 babies were registered in South Africa by mothers in their teens and more than 3 000 of these were born to girls aged 10 to…
The jitters of having a Valentine on Valentine’s Day
The 14th of February is universally known as Valentine’s Day and in this particular year I had a prospective Valentine. I was coming of age, just approaching sweet 16 and Valentine’s Day had only just started to have meaning for me. There was a certain boy in my neighbourhood who had taken a keen eye…
I choose to be alive
In October, most students are preparing for exams in South Africa but here I was contemplating suicide. I walked into the clinic with my friend as we always do when we go for our quarterly check-ups and I walked out a different person. My life was shattered when the friendly doctor told me I was…
Love, sex and STIs
Disclaimer: The following are the views of the author and should not be taken as medical advice. Please speak to a health professional to seek medical advice. So often you get into a relationship, things become serious and you start being intimate with that person. The classic boy meets girl, they fall in love and…
#AIDS2018 conference reflection…..now back to reality
It has been a week since the AIDS 2018 conference in Amsterdam ended. Before I get back into my everyday routine or even plan for the few remaining months of the year, I would like to reflect and share my thoughts on this year’s conference. It is reported to be the biggest conference with more…
My expectations for the #AIDS 2018 Conference
I am a young African woman who strongly believes that a world where young women and girls have control over their sexual health is possible. I have quite a lot of expectations for the upcoming International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2018) in Amsterdam. These conferences are for me always a good time to reconnect with amazing…
If you like it, put a ring in it! The intravaginal ring that may soon be a life changer in the sexual and reproductive health arena
This post was originally published on the IMPT Blog. For more information about multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) or the Initiative for MPTs click here. Yes! Yes! We soon may have a ring for our vaginas! I know what you are thinking; vaginal rings have been here since sliced bread. True, but what’s new about this…
International Women’s Day
A healthy world starts with healthy women On this International Women’s Day, it has never been more urgent to ensure women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, so that women everywhere have the opportunity to stay healthy and achieve their goals. The leading causes of death among women of reproductive age worldwide are HIV/AIDS and…