USI promotes 'He Says, You Say' Sexual Health campaign

national | public consultation / irish social forum | press release Monday May 08, 2006 13:19 by Union of Students in Ireland Union of Students in Ireland, Grattan St., Dublin 2, Ireland 01 435 3400

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) is joining the Crisis Pregnancy Agency and the Dublin Aids Alliance to back today’s launch of a major sexual health campaign called ‘He Says, You Say’, sponsored by Durex as part of National Condom Week.

USI PROMOTES ‘HE SAYS, YOU SAY’ SEXUAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN

May 8 2006

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) is joining the Crisis Pregnancy Agency and the Dublin Aids Alliance to back today’s launch of a major sexual health campaign called ‘He Says, You Say’, sponsored by Durex as part of National Condom Week.

The campaign is designed to empower young women to insist on safer sex with answers to the excuses that young men make for not wearing condoms. The campaign is being promoted through the use of posters, information leaflets, postcards and promotional condoms in colleges and sexual health charities around Ireland featuring the ‘He Says, You Say’ theme.

A host of promotional activities are also planned to underline the posters’ message – that young women can set a positive example by refusing to consent to sex without a condom.

USI Welfare Officer Tom Lowth said: “USI is endorsing the ‘He Says, You Say’ campaign because condoms are the most effective means we have for preventing sexually transmitted infections, yet too many people, particularly women, still feel unable to insist upon safer sex with their partner.

“At this time of soaring STI rates, the ‘He Says, You Say’ campaign is vital because it empowers young women to respond to the lines that men use for not wearing condoms. Sexually Transmitted Infections can be harboured unknowingly for years without revealing symptoms, so it is important that women feel empowered to overcome lines like ‘sex isn’t the same with a condom’ with responses such as ‘you’re not getting any without one!’.

“By normalising the fact that women carry condoms, it also challenges the stigma that still exists around women who insist upon safer sex.

“USI urges young women to insist on using a condom for every act, every time.”

Ends

For more information please contact:

Tom Lowth, USI Welfare Officer 086 8374106
Ryan Brennan, Development Manager 01 4353400