| The 3rd Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights hosted by AHI was held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja from the 4 th to the 7 th of February, 2008. It had as its theme; Sexuality, Poverty and Accountability in Africa. There were 394 registered participants from over 25 countries both within and outside Africa. The conference theme was explored under the following 10 thematic areas:
- Adolescent and Youth Sexuality
- Women's Sexuality
- Family Planning and Reproductive Health
- HIV/AIDS and Sexuality
- Sexuality and Religion
- Sexual Abuse and Gender Based Violence
- Culture, media and Arts
- Sexuality and Knowledge Management
- (Im)Mobility and Sexuality
- Sexuality and the Law
Abstracts were submitted as papers and posters. Abstract authors from different countries presented papers from these thematic areas. There were also conference presentations (plenary and Co-chair lectures) that covered the conference theme and sub-themes. There were 3 Co-Chair lectures given by Prof. Gamal Serour , Dr. Lola Dare and Mr. Tewodros Melesse . In addition, we had 8 plenary sessions on Sexual health in Africa, Sexuality, Gender and HIV/AIDS, Youth sexuality, Sexual Health and Rights, Policy to Practice, Sexual Violence. The plenary speakers are all experts in the field, and include:
- Assistant Director-General, Family and Community Health, World Health Organization (WHO), Ms. Daisy Mafubelu
- Member of Parliament, Botswana, the Honorable Nonofo Molefhi
- Founder and Director of the Masimanyane Women's Support Center and President of Amanitare, Dr. Lesley Ann Foster
- President of Ipas International, Ms. Elizabeth Maguire
- Dean of Law and Coordinator of the Gender, Law and Sexuality Research Project, Makerere University, Dr. Sylvia Tamale
- President of the World Association for Sexual Health, Dr. Eusubio Rubio-Aurioles
- Co-Founder and Executive Director of Action Health Incorporated, Mrs. Adenike Esiet
- Dr. Uche Azie
- Ms. Anne Ntombela
- Prof. Eleanor Maticka-Tyndale
- The Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Ms. Amina Ibrahim
- Vice President, International Community of Women living with HIV and AIDS, Ms. Belinda Atim Tima amongst others.
The goal of the Conference was to examine the interrelationships between poverty and sexuality and also how the issue of accountability affects sexual health and social well-being in Africa.
The objectives of the conference were:
- To take stock of responses to sexual health and rights on the continent.
- To explore intersections between poverty and sexual health and rights.
- To examine the centrality of sexuality in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Several organizations from within and outside Africa also participated in the conference of which most were sponsors and supporting partners of the conference. Organisations like: NACA, IWHC, IPPF, OSISA, Ipas, SFH, The MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, UAF, Packard Foundation, COMPASS, Amanitare, NHRC, and AFSHR. These organisations also had representatives in the Organising Committee and played tremendous roles in the actualisation of the conference.
Apart from abstract presentations, there were side events which included workshops on gender programming, sexual health and HIV, and youth activism; panel discussions on elderly sexuality, married adolescents and skills building workshops. AHI also organized a 2-day Youth Sexuality Institute to maximize youth participation at the conference.
The opening and closing ceremonies of the conference featured key government officials like the Minister of Health. Prof. Adenike Grange and the Director General of NACA, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin.
At the closing of the conference, there was a call to action that called for the following (as found in draft Call to Action) and the youths also came up with a youth statement that called for action in the following (as found in the Youth Statement).
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