VIDEO: HIV Threat Deepens for Teens Trapped Between Consent and Care Laws

Published

Antigua and Barbuda is facing a growing public health dilemma — one rooted not in medicine, but in the laws meant to guide and protect its young people.

A troubling contradiction in the country’s sexual health framework is leaving teenagers exposed, unprotected, and unable to access the care they urgently need, according to the National AIDS Secretariat.

HIV Threat Deepens for Teens Trapped Between Consent and Care Laws | VIDEO STORY
Delcora Williams, Manager of the National AIDS Programme

This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2025/11/27/hiv-threat-deepens-for-teens-trapped-between-consent-and-care-laws-video-story. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

Step 1

Add Antigua.news to your Home Screen

✕ antigua.news ⋯ Open in Safari Copy link Share…

First, open this page in Safari

You are reading inside another app (Instagram, Facebook…). Tap ⋯ at the top right and choose Open in Safari (or Open in browser).

No such option? Copy the link, open Safari and paste it in the address bar.

⚙️ Settings General › Software Update

Update your iPhone first

Alerts need iOS 16.4 or newer. Open Settings → General → Software Update and install the update. You can still add the icon now: tap Next.

‹ antigua.news ⋯

Tap the ⋯ button

It is at the bottom right of Safari, next to the address bar. Don't see the bar? Scroll up a little.

Share Add Bookmark New Tab Find on Page

Tap Share

It is the first option of the menu, with a square-and-arrow icon.

antigua.news ‹ › ▢ ⧉

Tap the Share button

The square with an arrow pointing up, in the middle of the bar at the bottom (on iPad: at the top right).

antigua.news

Tap the Share button

The square with an arrow, at the right of the address bar at the top. (Firefox: tap ☰ at the bottom, then Share.)

Copy Add to Reading List Add to Home Screen

Tap Add to Home Screen

Scroll down the list to find it (icon: a square with a +). Not there? Tap Edit Actions or View More at the bottom.

Cancel Add to Home Screen Add Antigua.news Open as Web App

Keep Open as Web App on, then tap Add

The switch must be green — without it, alerts can't work. Then tap Add at the top right.

Cancel Add to Home Screen Add Antigua.news An icon will be added to your Home Screen so you can quickly access this website.

Tap Add

At the top right. If you see an Open as Web App switch, leave it on (green).

Antigua.news

Close the browser and open Antigua.news from its new icon

Go to your Home Screen: the Antigua.news icon is there now (swipe left if you don't see it). Alerts only work when you open us from this icon.

“Antigua.news” Would Like to Send You Notifications Notifications may include alerts, sounds and icon badges. Don’t Allow Allow

Tap 🔔 Turn on alerts, then Allow

In the app you will see a red box asking to turn on alerts: choose your sections, tap the button, then tap Allow. That's it — breaking news will reach you even with the phone locked.

Shermain Bique-Charles

About the author

Shermain Bique-Charles is an accomplished journalist with over 24 years of dynamic experience in the industry. Renowned for her exceptional storytelling and investigative skills, she has garnered numerous awards that highlight her commitment to journalistic integrity and excellence. Her work not only informs but also inspires, making her a respected voice in the field.

Read our editorial standards and corrections policy. Spotted an error? Contact the newsroom.

Comments (7)

  • Concerned Antiguan November 27, 2025, 8:31 PM

    Very imformative Antigua.news. Keep up the good work. Makes no sense i can have sex at 16 but have to ask mammy to come with me to buy a morning after pill.
    Reply
  • Tovia November 27, 2025, 8:33 PM

    This is a serious gap in the legal system. You can’t have age-of-consent laws that don’t align with access to sexual health service. Frankly speaking, if the National AIDS Secretariat is sounding the alarm, policymakers need to listen. This is a public health issue, not a moral debate.
    Reply
  • Informed citizen November 27, 2025, 9:37 PM

    It’s frustrating to see prevention and treatment blocked by bureaucracy while infections rise.
    Reply
  • Lena November 27, 2025, 9:39 PM

    Teenagers dont even study the law or know if it exists. They doing what they have to do
    Reply
  • Juju Bee November 27, 2025, 10:45 PM

    Hmmmmmm Let’s just keep educating the youth on HIV/AIDS and it’s effects
    Reply
  • Kimberly November 28, 2025, 11:30 AM

    Great work. But some of these young people are introduced to sex too early. Alot of incest going on and nobody reporting.
    Reply
  • Tromos November 28, 2025, 6:22 PM

    This is a serious issue — teens shouldn’t have to navigate confusing laws just to get the care they need. Policies need to protect them, not put their health at risk.
    Reply

Submit a comment

More from Video Stories

View section