“If you reduce the age of civil responsibility for access to sexual information and services, you will encourage sexual activity among adolescents. That is so obvious.”
This is the loud, false claim of those who oppose the Government’s plan for the Age of Civil Responsibility (ACR) Bill. It is popular, but it is fictional and fuelled by fear.
The facts from Argentina show that. There, the government introduced a 3-layer model. They gave teenagers aged 16 to 18 full autonomy. They allowed teens aged 13–15 independent access, provided there was no serious risk. And for those 12 and younger, they required adult access, chosen by the child.
In just 6 years with this model, the adolescent fertility rate fell from 62.6 to 27, a drop of almost 57%. That is remarkable. This is what evidence-based health policy can accomplish. This model is similar to what we have recommended to the Government.
We can stick to our fear-based practice and remain with our horrible results. Of course, continuing to do what we know does not work, is what a very smart man called madness. Or we can find the courage to try a new approach based on facts and evidence. We can replace obstacles and ignorance with access and education.
Sincerely,
Tonia Frame, President, Grenada Planned Parenthood Association (GPPA)
Fred Nunes, Consultant, Advocates for Safe Parenthood: Improving Reproductive Equity (ASPIRE)
