Addressing the Sexual Vulnerabilities of Young Women in Africa

The Africa Regional Sexuality Resource Centre (ARSRC) hosted thirteen participants from various African countries at the seventh edition of the annual Sexuality Leadership Development Fellowship (SLDF) which held from 19th – 30th July, 2010, at Action Health Incorporated training facility. The participants came from East Africa: (Kenya, Uganda, Zambia); Southern Africa: (South Africa); and West Africa (Ghana and Nigeria). Three additional persons from Nigeria representing the media and NGO also participated as observers. The theme for this year’s SLDF was “Addressing the sexual vulnerabilities of young women in Africa”.

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During the two-week intensive programme, participants had the opportunity to learn and share experiences regarding effective strategies for policies and programming aimed at reducing sexual violence against girls and women. Specific issues covered were: Sex and Sexuality: Conceptual Issues, Status of Adolescent Girls and Young Women’s Health/Rights, Sexuality and Development, Sexuality and Pleasure, Sexual Rights, Sexual Violence, Sexuality and HIV/AIDS, Strategies for Addressing Young Women’s Sexual Vulnerabilities, Sexuality in Context: Sexual Scripts in Contemporary Africa, Gender and Sexuality, Female Sexuality in African Literature and Culture, and Sexual Identity and Orientation: Addressing Diversity in Africa. In addition, skills building sessions were incorporated which covered Advocacy Skills for SRH, Power Speaking Skills, Leadership for Sexual Reproductive Health and Reflection and Action Planning. These sessions presented an opportunity for participants to explore the concepts of sexuality through a critical analysis of gender, culture and rights, with specific emphasis on young women’s sexual experiences. Participants also had the opportunity to explore contemporary research and practice, develop networks in the field, and acquire new knowledge and skills which they could apply in their work.

This year’s programme featured prominent sexuality research scholars and seasoned professionals in the field from Nigeria and abroad including: Prof. Peju Olukoya (World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva), Prof. Taiwo Oloruntoba-Oju, (University of Ilorin), Ms. Nike Esiet (Action Health Incorporated (AHI), Dr. Abiola Tilley-Gyado (The Rosebush Foundation), Prof. Ayo Atsenuwa (University of Lagos), Dr. Princess Olufemi Kayode (Media Concern Initiative for Women and Children), Dr. Uwem Esiet (AHI), Dr Oka Obono (University of Ibadan), Ms. Dorothy Aken-Ova (INCRESE), Ms. Amy Oyekunle (Kudirat Initiative for Democracy, (KIND), Ms. Bunmi Olatunde (Cranfield Training Consult, (CTC) and Ms. Uche Ignatius (Positive Action for Treatment Access (PATA). The training sessions were interactive and involved power point presentations, group activities, case studies, film shows, discussions and talk show, field trip, games, stories, power walk, individual tasks and one-on-one mentoring.

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The 2010 SLDF met participants’ expectations. Thirteen participants rated the training workshop excellent and all said it was well organized. Eleven found the contents of the course excellent, and twelve participants considered the faculty and quality of training excellent. All participants believed they acquired new knowledge and skills to help them improve their work and career. Three topics found most useful were: Strategies for addressing young women’s vulnerabilities, Power speaking skills and Leadership for Sexual reproductive health. Three things they liked most was the expertise of the trainers, networking with people from other countries, and ability to express views freely. But some participants felt that they had to learn so much within a short period of time.

On the whole, the 2010 SLDF was rated excellent and successful. Some of the participants expressed their views this way:

• “I am now a changed person. I will no longer allow my personal values to interfere with my work especially on issues relating to sexual minorities”.
• “The collective experiences from other countries will go a long way in influencing my programming activities on sexuality. I particularly liked South Africa’s programme aimed at promoting girl-child education”.
• “Coming from a medical background, I did not have any formal training to equip or prepare me to address patients with different sexual orientations. Now I am prepared to treat them like others with respect”.
• “I have acquired new skills to motivate women to speak out and not die in silence”.
• “I will become more gender sensitive and specific in my programming activities”. “I am already sharing knowledge with my friends on face book”.
• “I have realized the need to work with policy makers and engage men and women on issues affecting the rights of women”.

The SLDF is an annual programme organized by Africa Regional Sexuality Resource Centre (ARSRC), a project of Action Health Incorporated with support from the Ford Foundation, aimed at strengthening the growing network of emerging leaders in the field of sexuality on the African continent. The objective is to develop a better understanding of the concepts and contexts of sexuality, sexual health and sexual rights; increase capacity to interrogate specific contemporary sexuality issues and challenges on the continent; and articulate strategies for promoting sexual health and rights in the various countries. According to Ms. Adenike Esiet, the Executive Director of AHI, “the focus of the SLDF is to facilitate the emergence of a younger generation of sexuality professionals who will contribute to advancing knowledge and action in favour of healthy, respectful responsible and pleasurable expression of sexuality in Africa”.