The issue of whether there should or should not be a condom machine at the university and the distribution of condoms during freshers’ week practically took over a Move well-attended and heated debate held at the Quadrangle this afternoon.
The debate launched Move, a new progressive students’ organisation. During the activity Move made public the results of a survey it organised during freshers’ weeks and distributed condoms.
Gaby Scicluna, who represented the Medical Students’ Association, said that the condom machine was a symbol of the need to make a distinction between the church and university and raise awareness about the importance of having a healthy sexual life.
On the other hand, students supporting the Moviment Kattolici Studenti Universitarji argued that the university was not a place for sex and that the distribution of condoms promoted a promiscuous lifestyle giving the wrong impression to freshers.
Move said they would work towards having a condoms machine on campus because many students wanted it.
But Fr Ray Zammit, a priest forming part of the Faculty of Theology, argued that just because the majority of students wanted something did not mean that it was the best option.
Agreement by the majority to paedophilia or the use of heroin would not make these a good thing. He also pointed out that the only country in Africa where HIV and AIDS were reduced was Uganda where abstinence and being faithful were promoted.
Condoms, he said, were not 100 percent safe and could give the illusion of safety and increase risky sexual activity which would inevitably lead to more people contracting diseases.
Once the debate was over, many stayed on in the Quadrangle discussing the topic. Many supporters of the MKSU complained about the way the launch of Move was conducted. Some said they would be offended if a condom machine was installed on campus.
The Move survey found that 71 percent of students agreed there should be a condom machine at university. 55 percent said they were in favour of divorce, 79 percent expressed themselves against abortion, 49 percent said they agreed with gay marriage and 70 percent were in favour of cohabitation. 49 percent said they were in favour of the morning after pill.