health

Debate continues over law

A proposed law on sexual and reproductive health remains a subject of debate.

Yesterday, groups supporting the initiative held a press conference at the Defensoría del Pueblo and suggested that, far from promoting promiscuity, the law raises the standards for providing sex education and reproductive health services to the population, taking into account “the emotional, biological, physiological, cultural and ethical” values of society.

Dayanara Salazar, a representative of the Defensoría, explained that the proposal was drafted in 2006, “and subjected to an extensive consultation period.”

During this period of consultation, Salazar said, discussions were held with both the Panamanian Episcopal Conference and the Ecumenical Council.

Aida de Rivera, a former ministra de Salud, said that the conflict is mainly due to people being afraid of change.

“Sometimes we are committed to historical thoughts,” Rivera said.

Groups opposing the proposal, some of which are associated with the Catholic church, have argued that they do not agree with it because the document gives children and adolescents the freedom to exercise their sexuality and accept homosexuality. They say is also promotes the practice of sex between minors and allows the distribution of contraceptives.

The proposal has generated controversy since it was submitted to the Asamblea Nacional in September.