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Antigua and Barbuda’s National AIDS Program Manager, Delcora Williams, says a legal gap in the country’s sexual health laws is putting teenagers at risk by allowing them to consent to sex at 16 but barring them from accessing HIV tests, STI treatment and contraception without parental approval until 18.
“It is almost like we are setting them up to lose,” she said. arguing that teens who are legally allowed to be sexually active should also be able to seek confidential care.
She said the mismatch fuels secrecy, delays treatment and is contributing to rising HIV infections.
Williams said several teenagers in Antigua and Barbuda are already living with HIV, and others may be avoiding testing because they cannot access services privately. She expects the issue to be a major topic when regional NAP managers meet in April 2026.
Two Caribbean countries have already updated their laws, and Williams hopes similar reforms will be discussed nationally. She said the solution is either raising the age of consent to 18 or lowering the age for accessing care to 16.
About 1,040 people in Antigua and Barbuda are living with HIV, including affected teens, she said, calling for laws that reflect the realities young people face.
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She’s a waste of time. Cuz you haffu beg she for condoms. She war no too much. Smh
what kind of NONSENSE are u spewing?
Again. Young people protect yourself
Yes, make treatment available to the younger audience but also raise the age of consent. There is no way a 32 year old man should be comfortable with saying he mostly dates 16 and 17 year olds. These grown men are taking advantage of the legal gap and its so sick.
Delcora is absolutely right. The law is contradicting itself and the young people are the ones paying the price.
We can’t keep pretending teenagers aren’t sexually active. Blocking them from care only makes the situation worse
If teens are already living with HIV in Antigua, what more evidence do we need that the system is failing them?”
They need to stop passing morality as policy and start passing laws that actually help people.
These inconsistencies have existed for years. It’s time the policymakers face reality and fix it.
Am I wrong but alot of LGBT People working at the AIDS secretariat tho
And??? As long as they are professional and do their job effectively and competently