Young women's sexual health festival

Young women's sexual health festival

By Carla Gorton

SYDNEY — Information for young women about HIV and AIDS issues will be the main focus of a national festival at Bondi Pavilion on February 19-20.

"Australian studies warn that increasing numbers of young women are contracting HIV", says Justine Davis, festival organiser.

"While young women have been classified as being at significant risk, many do not believe their personal risk is great", Davis told Green Left Weekly. "The festival aims to make HIV issues relevant to young women, to provide information about safe sex, drug use and issues relating to HIV-positive women, and other issues of sexual health and sexuality."

The festival organisers have already held a number of day-long and weekend workshops with young women in the Sydney region. The aim is to provide information in a safe, positive and fun atmosphere, with a strong emphasis on peer education.

Young women (12-25) will be admitted free to the program of workshops, stalls, music, performance and arts. To promote acceptance of cultural as well as sexual diversity, space and workshops will be provided for groups including Kooris, lesbians and women from non-English-speaking backgrounds.

For further information contact: Justine Davis, Hands On project, phone (02) 267 6387.

From GLW issue 87