Bacolod City, Philippines—Addressing the rising human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections, the Negrosanon Young Leaders Institute is set to kick off Project SEX(Z) in February 2020 in Cadiz City, Philippines.

Project SEX(Z) aims to provide innovative sexual and reproductive health education for rural youths. SEX(Z) will be implemented in 17 other communities in 9 countries around Southeast Asia.

“We aspire to reach more young people, especially in the communities in the component cities of the province,” shares Kevin Gaitan, Executive Director of the organization.

SEX(Z) targets to reach 1, 000 young people in 22 communities in Cadiz City on its pilot run.

“Our goal is to share information on sexual health and sexual rights, including risks and locally available resources,” adds Gaitan.

SEX(Z) will be implemented in partnership with the Sangguniang Kabataan councils of Cadiz City with the support of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative through the United States Embassy in Thailand, C-ASEAN, Social Enterprise Development Institute Thailand Foundation, and Future Innovative Thailand Institute.

“We want our young people to access sexual health services available at the local level, with high hopes that this will reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy and HIV and STD infections,” he concludes.