Concepts of Sexuality in Africa: Data Helps Decrease Harm
by Innocent Grant
Discussions around sexuality have always been sensitive and face much resistance in most African countries, as well as the world.
On day one of this conference, I attended a session led by African researchers about varying concepts of sexuality in Africa. Wow! My curiosity to understand the varying views led me to these experts trying to unpack these concepts.
Female genital mutilation (FGM), domestic violence (among couples), and the lack of sexual rights for people with disabilities have strong roots in some African societies. The experts explained that these practices are tied up in the norms and cultures that some African societies have pinned on individuals’ sexualities.
For example, the practice of FGM is done to eliminate sexual pleasure among girls and women. At the same time, there is a belief that individuals living with a disability have no sexual desire. Research is saying these practices and beliefs are harmful and there is a strong need for open dialogues around sexuality to help disrupt such harmful concepts.
Researchers from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana are advancing research on the history of sexuality in Africa. The use of data has been shown to help them avoid resistance around these discussions and allows for more studies. This will help societies have better and healthier concepts of sexuality that embrace human dignity and promote human rights for everyone.
What do you all think?
More on the Conceptualization of Sexuality in Africa
Innocent talks with Doctoral Student and Sexuality Researcher Anthony Senanu from the University of Cape Coast Department of Sociology and Anthropology after his session, “Conceptualization of Sexuality in Africa,” at the ninth APC.