Essence Boyd — News Editor
Unlike some who have been avoiding confronting the hostile climate surrounding women’s reproductive health, the sorority Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. hosted a round table discussion coined “Girl Talk” to address it openly on Tuesday, Sept. 24.
“There is a stigma surrounding women health care services and anything pertaining to that,” said president of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. Dayana Lituma-Solis.
“Women’s health care service, and just women’s health in general, should be a subject that everybody should be able to ask about and not feel nervous or apprehensive asking questions about.”
The forum was open to all students and focused on issues minority women face, such as sexual violence and teenage pregnancy.
According to LitumaSolis, the main goal for the event was to create a safe supportive space in which students were encouraged to ask any questions they had surrounding women’s health.
“It was a workshop that I thought was very critical to have at this time, considering the state of stigmas surrounding this issue, because it is important to have this background information, to be prepared and to have the knowledge,” said Lituma-Solis.
Attendees were encouraged to take part in group discussion, which was accompanied by numerous informational videos on the many different types of contraception along with a presentation by Lituma-Solis.
According to a study done by Planned Parenthood, 6.2 percent of students nationwide report having sex before the age of 13, 43.8 percent by grade 10, and 63.1 percent by grade 12.
As one of Southern’s few Hispanic and Latinx organizations on campus, Lituma-Solis said although their first obligation is to spread Latino culture on campus, and, as a women’s organization, they also spread female empowerment, which starts with self-care.
“First and foremost, we send the message of Latino culture to the rest of the world, but, beyond that, another important message that our organization tries to send out to others is that we are here to support [women],” said Lituma-Solis.
One of the students in attendance was communication disorders and psychology major Karina Aviles, a junior.
According to Aviles, although the presentation was information heavy, being informed of all the resources available to women off campus was a much needed seeing as how on campus resources are not the best fit for everyone.
“I know that things happen in college, and the health center [on campus] can sometimes not be the main option for certain students,” said Aviles, “Knowing that there are other options around the area can help students feel more comfortable and get the help that they need.”
Anthropology major Madison Harris, a freshman, said the event was informative, but the information shared should used to educate all students.
“This should be broadcasted more widely across campus, because there are lots of men and women who don’t know about the anatomy, who should be more informed,” said Harris.
Overall, students who attended the event should have gained a better sense of women’s health and where to receive health related assistance on and off campus.
“[We] send out that message of women’s empowerment,” said Lituma-Solis. “Taking charge of your own knowledge, rights and your own health.”
