A sexual-health awareness pack is to be distributed to third-level students throughout the country as part of a new campaign launched today by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI).
The packs, which will be received by some 45,000 students across college campuses, will contain condoms and information on contraception.
The USI says the information provided aims to help students have safer sex and make informed decisions regarding their contraceptive choices.
“There has been a dramatic rise in the numbers of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) reported in Ireland. By running this campaign, USI want to encourage students to talk about their sexual health,” USI welfare officer Ciaran Fitzpatrick said.
“There still seems to be a taboo when it comes to talking about sex related issues. We want to break through these barriers and encourage people to practice safer sex and to look after their sexual health by getting screened for STIs,” he added.
The distribution of the packs is part of a wider campaign aimed at raising sexual health awareness among students and encouraging them to practice safer sex.
“While society has become more open, and the role of contraception is now discussed more freely, we still need to ensure that students understand the risks associated with unsafe sex,” USI president Peter Mannion said.
The SHAG (Sexual Health Awareness & Guidance) campaign - for which the slogan is “whoever you like, love safer sex" - will focus on opening up conversation among students in Ireland about sex and sexuality.