| Room 519-A | Sexuality and Health Wednesday, July 13, 2005 Time: 2:30 PM-4:30 PM |
Sexuality in Africa - Invited Paper.
Esiet, Uwem*,1, 1 African Federation for Sexual Health and Rights / Action Health Incorporated, Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
ABSTRACT- The continent of Africa has a population of over 840 million people with diverse languages, cultures,norms and values. Sexuality discussions in Africa calls attention to various minefields and flashpoints that tend to problematise sexuality. Such flashpoints include poverty, culture of silence on sexuality issues, gender based violence, sexual violence especially child sexual abuse, transactional sexual activities, unwanted teenage pregnancies, unsafe abortions, sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, forced marriages, early marriages, harmful traditional practices, low literacy level especially of the girls and women, homophobia and others. However sexual pleasure is not entirely a taboo as there is overwhelming evidence to show that in some African communities skills acquisition to facilitate this is embarked upon especially during initiation into womanhood. Therefore this discourse highlights challenges, constraints and commitments needed to assure peoples living in Africa safety in their sexuality.
Key words: sexuality, safety