A one-day conference themed “The Cross-Strait, Hong Kong and Macau Conference on Adolescent Sexual Health”, organised by the Macao Health Promotion Association and sponsored by the public Macao Foundation (FM), was held yesterday at the Convention Centre of the Macao Science Centre, having brought together healthcare and educational experts from the “Cross-Strait four regions” (Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China) to discuss the challenges faced by young people in meeting their sexual and reproductive health needs, and strategies to deliver a more comprehensive sex education.
The term “cross-strait” refers to the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, geographically separated by the Taiwan Strait. The mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau together form the inalienable parts of the Chinese nation.
The opening ceremony was officiated by FM Administrative Committee member Ao Weng Chi, Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) Chief of Division of Infant and Primary Education Choi Man Chi, Health Bureau (SSM) Chief of the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Leong Iek Hou, Lawmaker Iau Teng Pio, Macau General Union of Neighbourhood Associations (UGAMM, or “Kai Fong” in Cantonese) President Ng Sio Lai, as well as the organiser’s President Cheong Hoi Sui, Chairwoman-cum-Kiang Wu Nursing College (KWNC) Associate Professor U Wai Ang and other honorary presidents.
In her opening remarks, U said that many teenagers in Macau were lacking adequate knowledge of healthy sexuality and skills for protection, placing themselves at a high risk of unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion, sexually transmitted infections such as HIV/AIDS, sexual violence, and mental disorders. “Various social and cultural factors restrict the dissemination of information about sexual and reproductive health to young people who, as a result, are unable to access supportive and nonjudgmental services to protect their health,” she said, adding that new media communication tools were also having a large impact on their perceptions of sexuality as well as their understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity.
U, the only local keynote speaker of the conference, continued during the plenary session to share her visions of a more holistic and comprehensive approach to sexual education, which emphasises not only information on regular health check-ups, but also consent, respect, and the need for careful decision making in relationships. She suggested that the public get rid of the social stigma about sexual education and not shy away from discussing topics related to sexuality and contraception.
“Both teachers and parents are traditionally afraid of talking about sex openly. Conversations about sexual health are usually centred around the concept of abstinence, which in turn leads to further shame, taboos and misunderstanding around the topic,” U noted, adding that educators in the field should focus more on teaching younger children about family relations, how to cope with puberty and menstruation, what consent means, and how to recognise – and report – abuse and violence.
In addition to U, yesterday’s conference featured scholars as well as healthcare and education professionals such as Grace Lee Ming-ying, education manager of the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong, Kao Sung-Ching, associate professor of “National” Taiwan Normal University, and various researchers from the mainland, who delivered speeches on a wide range of topics including gender identity and the psychology of love.
U Wai Ang, chairwoman of the Macao Health Promotion Association, gives her opening speech during yesterday’s conference on adolescent sexual health at the Convention Centre of the Macao Science Centre. – Photo: Gabriel Tam
