Youth Initiative in cooperation with CESI organized a protest in front of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, seeking the establishment of youth counselling services on sexual and reproductive health.

"We want counselling services for youth, gotta problem? If I shower after sex, it is certain I will not get pregnant? If I masturbate too much, will I become infertile?, I have a scab on the penis, do I need a gynaecologist?, I kissed a girl .. . am I normal ??..."

 These are just a few of the questions that the youth is demanding answers to in connection to their own sexual and reproductive health. Answers to these questions are often sought among peers, the Internet and other media. But the youth believe that they would feel safer when the answers to these and similar questions could be provided by a professional and trained person.

 They were welcomed in front of the Ministry by Minister of Health, Mr. Darko Milinovic and Secretary of State for health care, Mr. Ante Zvonimir Golem. The youth presented to Milinović their demand for the opening of youth sexual health counselling services in every county and the  minister in a very jovial tone, good mood and full of jokes said that the Ministry is working on this issue but that they are not the ones authorised to open the counselling centres.

 He announced that a meeting of the working group that will prepare the guidelines for opening the counselling centres will take place next week. As a gynaecologist, Milinovic said that he is familiar with the problems of reproductive health care and believes that abortion is the worst contraceptive.

By these protests the youth have succeeded to draw attention at the necessity of opening youth-friendly sexual health counselling services.

Now, the relevant institutions are to held accountable for making the next step...