Beyond Pain: Toward Pleasure In The Study Of Sexuality in Africa

Rachel Spronk Towards A Sensual Life Style

Marlene Wasserman It Has Always Existed: Sexual Pleasure And Fantasy In Africa

Charles Ngwena

Published by Africa Regional Sexuality Resource Centre, Lagos, Nigeria www.arsrc.org A Woman Wearing Beads Around Her Waist And Wrist Credit: Waistbeads By Sewra 2008 A Project of Action Health Incorporated In This Issue

Feature 3. Beyond Pain, Towards Pleasure In The Study Of Sexuality In Africa

Issue Focus 1 7. Expressing Sexual Fantasy Through Songs And Proverbs

Issues in Focus 2 9. It Has Always Existed : Sexual Pleasure And Fantasy In Africa

Region Watch 11 Creating a Sensual Lifestyle

Spotlight 13 Expression Through Lack Of A Woman Wearing Beads Around Her Waist And Wrist Credit: Waistbeads By Sewra 2008 Expression : Lingerie And Sexual Fantasy In Cairo 15 Notes To Contributors (Guidelines for submissions) Sexuality in Africa Magazine is published in Lagos by Africa 16 Sexuality Resources Regional Sexuality Resource Centre (ARSRC) and is distributed without charge until otherwise indicated.

Sexuality in Africa Africa Regional Sexuality Resource Centre P. O. Box 803, Sabo-Yaba We acknowledge the contributions of those who reviewed the Lagos, Nigeria papers in this edition of the magazine.

All the views expressed in this publication are solely those of Phone: (234) 1-7919307 the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Fax: (234)-1-3425470 ARSRC/AHI or any organisation providing support. Email: [email protected] The images in this material are used for illustrative Website: www.arsrc.org purposes only; they do not imply any particular health status, attitudes, behaviours, or actions on the part of any person who Editorial Team appears in the photographs. Nike Esiet Photoshare images in this material are used for illustrative Dr Richmond Tiemoko purposes only; they do not imply any particular health status, Olunosen Louisa Ibhaze attitudes, behaviors, or actions on the part of any person who appears in the photographs.” Editorial Advisory Board Any part of this publication may be copied or adapted for use to Dr. Elias H. O. Ayiemba (East Africa) meet the local needs without permission from the ARSRC, provided that the parts copied are distributed free or at no cost Mr. Kopano Ratele (Southern Africa) (not for profit) and that the source is identified. The ARSRC Ms. Petrida Ijumba (Southern Africa) would appreciate receiving a copy of any materials in which the Prof. Friday Okonofua (West Africa) text is used. Stephen Kwankye (West Africa). ISSN 0189-7667 © ARSRC 2007

2 FEATURE Beyond Pain, Towards Pleasure In The Study Of Sexuality In Africa

By Rachel Spronk

sexuality. In this it also refers to sexual desire. These article I will shortly different aspects of sexuality highlight r e f l e c t o n t h e the need to define the term 'sexuality' in dominant trend of concepts such as sexual practices, sexuality research categories, desire, identity, etc., in order in Africa, after to clarify what is being studied. which I will explore A second related- flaw is that a mainly how to study sex ahistorical approach has been beyond its painful responsible for grossly simplifying r e a l i t i e s a n d notions of 'culture'. Much research has consequences and been limited by ideas that there is how to study its something peculiar about African p l e a s u r a b l e cultures regarding sexuality [2;3]. capacities as well, Cultural 'traditions' and 'taboos' are the b a s e d o n m y first things researchers tend to look for, research on love to account for sexual behaviour, and sex in Nairobi, overlooking the more mundane aspects Kenya. of life such as the influence of poverty or the emotional weight of sex. One such The State Of Art common assumption is that African men R e g a r d i n g engage in multi-partnered sexual S e x u a l i t y relationships because of 'their culture'. Research In Africa A historical analysis of sexuality in There are two Kenya offers an alternative explanation major flaws in the which is that, since the colonial period h e a l t h - r e l a t e d onwards, many married couples could A Woman Adorned With Beads not live together due to laws controlling Credit : Waistbeads By Sewra 2008 a p p r o a c h e s t o studying sexuality. male labour migration. In such situations The global Aids epidemic exposed the The first is that the of separation women and men would deficiency of our knowledge about the term 'sexuality' has been used in a self- have engaged in other sexual affairs, all complexity and variety of sexual evident and instrumental manner, rather likely to be against 'cultural' conventions behaviour. As a result, there has been an than being approached with due because adultery was a crime amongst impressive increase in research attention to the full variety and many groups in Kenya [4; 5]. Since activities aimed at responding to this subjectivity of sexual behaviour. sexuality is often presented as embedded discrepancy. In Africa this has meant Studying 'the' sexuality of teenagers, in 'age-old traditions', too little attention that the study of sexuality is mainly for example, can mean studying their has been given to such historical and conducted in relation to HIV infection. discourse on sex, their experience of social explanations of particular One of the major consequences of this is arousal, their gendered expectations, contemporary sexual practices. This is that sex becomes de-eroticised to an act their sexual identity or their sexual especially important given the current devoid of meaning and as a result, sex is relations. Studies that do not take into colonization of the public debate in studied apart from its sensorial power. account the imprecision of the term different African countries representing The challenge of sex research is to 'sexuality' start from a flawed position a glorified 'African' past where sexuality understand the ways that societal factors that sees sex simply as an obvious was trouble-free and healthy. organise sex and sexuality. It is incident or action [1]. In reality it is far The challenge of sex research is to important to note that sex is, above all, more complex than this. The word 'sex' understand the ways that societal factors about the senses, and many times people refers to an act, a category, a practice, a organise sex and sexuality, and finding engage in sex for pleasure. If we do not gender. 'Sexuality' refers to the quality out how these processes shape the pay due attention to the pleasurable and of 'being sexual', it is a concept depicting experiences of people. How, then, do we sensorial aspects of sex we will continue the social arena where power relations study sexuality and at the same time producing deficient knowledge about and moral discourses are played out, and respect the interface between the social

3 context and personal experience? sexuality becomes partly redefined in nothing.' (Ruben, aged 28) relation to female pleasure. This 'Better Sex Makes Happier Couples' approach is new, exciting and more In general, young adults are searching In Nairobi (where I did my research on engaging for both women and men for new definitions of sex. They want to the love and sex lives of young adults), compared to conventional perspectives give a positive meaning to sex in their public debates about sexuality getting on sexuality emphasizing the premarital sexual relationships. Pamela, out of hand due to the loss of ('African') procreative aspects of sex. For many aged 22, for example, says: 'How can morals have flared up from late young adults, to have a fulfilling sex life something be wrong when it makes me colonialism [6]. Debates about has become a symbol for a truly feel good?' In popular definitions of sexuality tend to articulate social contemporary person. This does not sexuality, sex is linked to love instead of discontent about social change, necessarily imply that it is perceived as a to reproduction, ethnic compatibility or particularly when gender and sexuality green light to sexual permissiveness. marriage as conventional discourse has are shifting because this occurs to the Depending on the person's morals, a it. What is most notable is that women, detriment of existing gerantocratic sexual life is developed only in in contrast to conventional discourse, power structures [4; 5; 7]. The history of marriage, while for others it is possible also recognise sex as natural, as an public debates about sexuality shows in premarital relationships as well. Both embodied element of growing into that current changes in gender and women and men are advised and adulthood. They thus recognise sexual sexuality are part of a continual encouraged to 'work' on their sex life, as desire as crucial to their identity as reconfiguration of gender and sexuality, it 'enriches' their personal sexual women, instead of understanding sexual despite common views that sexual experiences as well as their partner's. desire in relation to married morals or 'traditions' have been under Personal and mutual sexual happiness motherhood. For men, sexual desire has pressure in the last decades only. becomes an asset of individuals, as well always been understood as self-evident Interestingly, the volatile discussions as a symbol for a successful relationship: in conventional discourse; sex is about sexuality in Nairobi occur side by normatively understood as individual side a positive discourse on sexuality achievement. But, as Ruben explains, that has found a niche in the media. A there is now more to sex for men like discourse has come into being, praising him because his sexual potential is also the vitalising force and bonding Better sex connected to his partner's sexual intimacy that comes from sex in pleasure. In the new definition of relationships [8]. Parent's magazine is sexuality, then, sexual intimacy known particularly, among married and makes becomes a matter of the self as a sexual unmarried people, for its weekly subject; intimacy becomes an column called 'Sex' or 'Sexuality'. happier intersubjective experience. 'Intimacy', Sexual practices and principles are dealt therefore, is the name of the game. It has with in explicit terms. Sexual positions become a fashionable word in all and the type of gratification that can be couples,' popular self-help columns in Nairobian expected are described, while the topics magazines advising on the art of good of foreplay, fantasy and sexual variation relationships. For young women and to enhance female pleasure are written men, notions of romantic love and about regularly. The rationale of 'These days, we want our part of emotional intimacy are increasingly Parents' editor is reflected in the pleasure. I mean… We, women, know important criteria for selecting a lover or statement that 'Better sex makes happier what to spouse. Their desire resonates with an couples,' claiming that sex is 'a couple's buy in this world and there is no way I emerging discourse on love that is primary way to show love' (November could make love with a man and be left shared among many factions of society, 2001). In contrast to the conventional unsatisfied. It sometimes happened [that from religious understandings of and religiously inspired idea that 'sex is a man did not know how to satisfy a marriage to popular understandings of a marital duty,' which is interpreted woman properly], men are not yet [as] dating. among many female young adults as up to date as women, and then I was so In my research I worked out a step-by- enforcing the sexual subordination of so disappointed. I mean, I don't even step approach linking the personal and women, the 'modern' duty is the consider explaining [to] him what to do the contextual, and I was able to study fulfilment of a mutual orgasm. I do not with a woman. Imagine! Some don't sexuality from its diverse angles [9; 10; mean that people did not have sex for even realise!' (Dana, aged 29) 11]. The personal aspect of sex focuses pleasure before, but that the positive on sexual meanings that are individual language of sex sex as love, intimacy, 'OK, as a modern man you have to know and often have an emotional basis and and pleasure- as it is espoused by how to satisfy a woman, there is no are experienced through the body. magazines such as Parents provides a way to … when you have sex, that only Young adult women and men, like sounding board for couples to develop you get satisfied. You have to know others all over the globe, reflected their sex lives. what she likes, to postpone her coming, positively about the fact that sex is The implication of mutual orgasm is to tease her so that she begs you. above all about sensual pleasure or the t h a t s e x u a l i t y g a i n s a n e w Sometimes it's disturbing when you promise of pleasure and physical thrill. interpretation; female sexuality cannot make it, when you cannot satisfy Being sexually active implies being becomes redefined as pleasure and not a sexually attractive or 'wanted', which necessarily as procreation, and male woman. I once had a girlfriend and she contributes positively to women's and never had an orgasm, it disturbed me to men's sense of self-worth. The sex act is have mine whereas she was left … 4 experienced as a moment of bliss, of actively appropriated sexual pleasure as is almost always imbued with some physical energies that cannot be negated an index of their gendered sense of self. degree of uncertainty, ambiguity or and sex is recognised as a powerful However, when pleasure and mutual anxiety. Feelings of shame, fear of 'natural' force. Having sex makes people orgasm become a standard, then sex l o s i n g t h e p a r t n e r, f e a r o f feel 'good!', 'happy', 'alive', 'in love', becomes a new kind of obligation, disappointing, fear about violation of 'sexy', 'loved', 'strong', and much more, generating insecurity. Several women trust, anxiety about failure to enjoy sex or as a woman expressed it: 'Making recounted fear of failing as a competent or have an orgasm, and fear of arousing love connects my body and soul'. Many sexual partner, either because of this suspicion, all these were experienced experienced sex as a vitalizing force, new standard or because of the fact that by both women and men, and only linking its power to its capacity as the they were never encouraged to perceive serve to highlight the precarious and s o u r c e o f l i f e , l i t e r a l l y a n d themselves as desiring sex for pleasure complex nature of a sexual encounter. metaphorically. In 2001, Winnie and therefore felt inhibited to do so. For example, many women endlessly Madikizela-Mandela's phrase 'sex Most of the women as they got older deliberated whether or not to initiate makes the world go round' (which became more sexually assertive, and condom use because they feared to circulated in the Kenyan media) was bolder in taking a position against arouse the suspicion of their partner often used to joke about and to answer existing double standards. For all the about being promiscuous. Other my never-ending questions1. Sex is often men, having sex was a necessary aspect women recounted similar qualms, as perceived as a 'gut feeling' (referring to of being masculine, whereas for them well as a fear of violating trust by excitement, sensuality, and release also, the interpretation of sex as an initiating condom use. Men recounted associated with bodily sensations, similar anxieties, though less often. a n d w i t h m o r e c o m p l e x Besides anxieties such as these that understandings like 'feeling were related to social expectations, wo/man' augmenting a gendered sex was also used to deal with a sense of self). ‘How can range of feelings, such as rejection, Whereas these meanings of sex insecurity or anger, or to exert are more centred on the individual, power or increase self-worth. For other meanings are relational, seeing something be example, Thomas, aged 26 dealt sex as connected to love, affection, with his fear of rejection related to romance, in which sex is defined his experience with his first corresponding to one's relation to committed relationship- by having another person. For many people sex wrong when it multiple relationships: once he was a mutual pleasure that augments sheepishly said that sex 'boosts my an emotional bond between lovers, ego'. Njeri, aged 24, however, whether it concerned a casual or makes me feel would never phrase it in such a way committed relationship. Mutual and instead explained how she orgasm as proof of success and/or enjoyed the fact that her boyfriend intimacy in sexual relations has was 'hooked to her' because of their become an indicator among certain good?' 'great sex life'. In her sexual life the y o u n g a d u l t s M o r e o v e r , interface of pleasure and anxiety experiencing orgasm is often becomes clear in the way she explained to me as the primal urge to enjoyed sex with her partner to the feel alive, to achieve the ultimate emotional exchange of trust and full, which was important to her, moment of self-awareness while companionship could lead to despite the fact that the relationship was simultaneously getting lost in the uncertainty because it contradicted the troubled with fights, mistrust and pleasure of orgasm. It is a positive common sense idea that male sex is frustrations, which she claimed did 'not experience for the individual as well as spontaneous. Some men's desire for sex do me well'. It should be pointed out f o r t h e c o u p l e . S e c o n d , t h e was close to compulsion and for them that pleasurable and anxiety evoking intersubjective aspect of sex comes sex was a means of feeling alive and aspects of sex are not mutually about because the moment of sex is a virile, hence masculine. A minority of exclusive and that, therefore, such moment of exchange where the personal men resisted this hegemonic notion of uneasy aspects of sex should not be and the social merge. male sexuality by drawing on the over-problematised. It highlights the discourse on love, in the same way that a fact that sex is fraught with ambiguity. Ambiguous Pleasures minority of women chose to delay sex In sum, people's explanations about For many women, experiencing till marriage. These experiences show the importance of sex mostly relate to femaleness through their bodies was a that there is a thin line between pleasure how sex augments a gendered sense of means to feel empowered and what they and anxiety in sex; and that they are not self. Gender ideologies influence how labelled as 'feeling sexy' was typically unconnected or mutually exclusive people understand themselves and how informed by wider shared notions of emotions and experiences. sex plays a role in their gendered femininity. In spite of normative I believe that there can never be a identity. If sex is constitutive to people's understandings that equate female purely physical, ecstatic or anxiety free feelings of being either 'woman' or sexuality with reproduction, they also sexual encounter. From the young 'man', then experiencing being 1Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is the well-known ex- adults' experiences (and underlined by feminine and masculine is partly wife of the former president of South Africa Nelson other accounts described in the related to normative expectations based Mandela. literature), it can be concluded that sex on existing gender roles. Butler's notion 5 of the 'paradox of subjectivation' [12] is Many men recounted or hinted at their between individual people stood out. helpful in pointing out how women and anxieties about failing to be skilful This is an important observation to men both advocate new interpretations lovers. The new discourse on sex as make, since large scale studies, because of gender because- young adults central to emotional intimacy of their methodology, cannot but unsettle, in different degrees, the challenges conventional constructions generalise and therefore easily negate patriarchal understanding of sex and of masculinity, and men struggle to variety. Generalisation itself does not gender- as well as reproduce normative balance and incorporate both in their need to be problematic as long as the understandings of gender. lives as lovers. Nevertheless, the limitations of this approach are taken The hegemonic symbolic discourse of sex as being natural to men into account in the production of construction of women as moral remains hegemonic and most men knowledge about sexuality. caretakers, guardians of the family, and consider it their right to take pleasure in Second, sex is more often than not an devoted wives, serves as the norm of sex. inter-subjective exchange between femininity even when women deviate Young adult women and men in people; sex implies intimacy in the from it. It comes to women being Nairobi maintain ambiguous attitudes sense that mutually agreed sexual encouraged to remain chaste and being towards each other because men occupy conduct always implies a degree of severely judged when transgressing an ambiguous position in women's lives confidence or trust [13]. Sex carries a normative parameters. Women have as lovers, friends and future husbands, sense of emotional interaction that therefore been compelled to adopt more as well as figures of authority and social varies in its nature. The young adults' secretive strategies when having sexual control. As a result, both women and experiences show that sex is a means for affairs compared to men. They have to men communicate ambiguity towards the expression of different feelings, be constantly negotiating between their partners and potential partners. It emotions and needs that are acted upon factors that are associated with deviance turns out that many sexual affairs are not in relation with another person. People on the one hand, and aspects that would self-evident anxiety-free encounters. have sex for fun, to fulfil a desire for allow them to be considered respectable Especially in non committed intimacy, as a physical thrill, to achieve on the other. Nevertheless, women relationships, sex is embedded in social status, to confirm a gendered appropriated sexual pleasure as part of ambiguity because of social and cultural sense of self, to exert power, to express contemporary personhood, and many expectations, as well as the fear of love, to humiliate, to conform to enjoyed doing so. In general, the older arousing suspicion and violating trust. expectations, and much more. The the women were, the more boldly they Further, Aids poses a realistic threat emotions and the nature of intimacy can pursued sex for pleasure, whether it was when having unprotected sex, which differ. Despite the popular connotations via short affairs or by finding out about continues to happen although condom of the term, 'intimacy' does not always sex toys or toy condoms. use is fairly high. The moralising imply feelings of monogamous Men generally had, and have, more discourses on Aids have further codified romantic love'lovey-dovey' feelings, to leeway to deviate from the norm. sex with a negative meaning in public use a man's words whose narrative Although men are also encouraged to discourse; 'bad' sex is 'immoral' sex, showed how intimacy can imply remain chaste, mainly by the Christian while 'good' sex has come to mean sex friendship or financial care more than discourse, they are also encouraged to be that conforms with normative cultural romantic love [14;15]. Perceiving sex as sexually active, which is endorsed by the values. These social definitions of sex an inter-subjective exchange can be patriarchal discourse equating male affect the very personal experience and used as a direct call for further research sexuality with virility and social sensations of sex. studies to move beyond an essentialist achievement. Public discourse is highly analysis of sex as an obvious act. contradictory when it comes to Studying Sex In All Its Meanings, Third, because sexuality is also a manhood and morality, and this also Sensations And Connections peculiarly sensitive conductor of social impacts on men's sexual behaviour and In order to be able to interconnect the influences, cultural perceptions and their relationships with women. personal and social aspects of sex, I political divisions, sexuality is also Whereas they perceive sex as propose to use sexuality as an analytical socially defined. These social aspects constitutive to their sense of tool with three foci. First, sex is a inform all the abovementioned masculinity, men should also exercise vehicle for powerful sensations that are emotions and exchanges. Every one of self-restraint and therefore there is a experienced very subjectively. In other the biographical narratives I collected (undefined) limit to sex. A man should words, sex is personal and sex is a testifies to how social meanings frame not appear to be addicted to sex, because medium for expressing a variety of people's behaviour, their understanding this implies being dependent on women feelings, emotions and needs in a of themselves and their experience. The and thus not being self-reliant. On the person. In all the biographical accounts of, for example, women's other hand, a man should not fail in narratives I collected, the effects of 'playing hard to get' to men's burden of having sex and, above all, being a good sexual desire and conduct on the person needing to be seen as 'man enough', lover. In patriarchal discourse being a stood outfrom the power of sexual show how people acted in order to skilful lover is not considered crucial to attraction as an uncontrollable force, to preserve their sexual reputation. Sexual men's sexuality, while in the new the bodily craving for sexual fulfilment. ideology and practices are related to discourse it is. The new discourse, Women and men reflected differently notions of gender, age, ethnicity or race, however, implies that sex is not as about these experiences depending on religion, social status, familial spontaneous as it is conventionally their relationships, their view on sex or responsibility, ideas about intimacy, understood to be; instead, it needs to be intimacy, or their anticipation of love and affection. Relations of power 'worked upon' as sexual skills, like other gendered expectations. In my research are typically translated into the skills, require knowledge and practice. group of 49 people, the differences organisation of sexuality (Arnfred Cont’d on page 8 6 ISSUE IN FOCUS 1 Expressing Sexual Fantasy Through Songs And Proverbs

By Naana Otoo-Oyortey

still very little discussion music. I don't remember the name of the around them, again music, but one of the songs actually because it continues to be translates like “when my husband holds a taboo subject. my hand and he leaves my hand and touches my breast , I get pleasure''(local) Working with the family . It is -mi kon so mi sa jah kon me foun planning section for mi, ya na mi do, ya na mi do. It is an Akan reproductive health, my song. It actually talks about some of the experience has been that pleasures of sex. This is like a group of even among service women, who stay together, sing and play providers, there is the the coral songs. reluctance to talk about. I think this is because there It is actually sung in public, you may is certain shyness or sense not really get the words. It is like I o f e m b a r r a s s m e n t mentioned earlier, one of the best ways s u r r o u n d i n g i s s u e s you can find out about matters relating to c o n c e r n i n g s e x u a l sexual issues is through songs and pleasure. Since the focus proverbs, you just won't find people African Gourd Rattles has been on disease, sitting around and talking about it. Naana Otoo-Oyortey; the Technical HIV/AIDS, maternal I think the name of the song is either officer on Gender and Rights at the health and of recent, sexual health. The 'mar yom' or 'mar ago' . These women sit International Planned Parenthood downside has to do with sexual rights, in groups and play their calabashes as Federation, shared her views on sexual which has not really taken off even with they hit their sides and hands together. It pleasure and fantasy in Africa with the discussion on young people and was a very interesting thing, and then ARSRC Director.. sexuality, there is always dominance on again you find some of the issues in sexual autonomy, and sexual “don'ts” How would you explain Sexual which you can find sexual fantasies. with very little about the sexual dos. In Especially in dancing, the Gan group of Pleasure and fantasy in Africa? this sense you find don't do this and don't I would really like touch on the fact Ghana have a very sexualized dance. do that. Then there's the question of how These kind of things help you realize that that in my opinion, discussion and to ensure that young people do not have discourses around sexuality in Africa are there are really a lot of fantasies around sex within a certain time frame. I must the female body, particularly the female very limited to the discussion around say that for me there is very little homosexuality and lesbian issues. With buttocks and breasts. I had a training opportunity to really look at sexuality in where I was talking about attractiveness regards to sexual pleasure, I think that the such a very pragmatic way. only way you could understand this, is and desire, that is the things men find practically through songs. In the sense Some Proverbs and songs are attractive in women, and one of the that there is much taboo on public examples of the public manifestation things the men said was that a woman discussion of such matters. of sexual fantasies should have a big bum, big breasts, it's an It is very interesting because in Africa indication that these men fantasize about Even in terms of the literature, I have you will find that the very good way of the bigger the better. only recently started working on issues finding out about issues of sexual of sexuality and I have done only two Private manifestation of sexual pleasure and fantasy is actually in fantasy or sexual pleasure and male training sessions in the past year. In fact, proverbs and songs. When you delve into there is very little discussion around it, fantasies these you will be able to thoroughly It is interesting in term of women's issues around sexual pleasure are hardly understand some of the intricacies touched upon. It is actually more about functions and fantasy around sexuality, around sexual fantasies, because again again you find that in songs particularly sexual taboo, care, refraining women's our culture is very much linked to sexuality including practices such as in community where women have their naming but saying it in a very cautioned own spaces and have the opportunity to female genital cutting, which is basically and blurry way. aimed to subdue women's sexual come together, you would invariably pleasure. I think the whole discourse on Example of song or proverb related find that a lot of the talk has to do with women's sexuality if any, has really not to sexual fantasy and pleasure issues surrounding sexuality and that, as come up, there is rather a lot of focus on In Ghana what really comes readily is a matter of fact you would even find out male sexuality, male pride and male actually more against, it is about the sometimes in some languages if you are virility and how all these transcends into 'don'ts'. I remember a local song which is doing something painful, they would say male pleasure. Despite all these, there is sung by these women, who play the local 'but this kind of thing?, this is nothing

7 compared to what you get from your women are taught how to give men because a lot of people to be honest, are husband'. I think this time around it is not pleasure, but hardly would you find very narrow minded in terms of what so much about fantasy but more about occasion where women are taught how sexuality is and the issues surrounding it. voicing women's ability to enjoy sex. In to pleasure themselves. So the pleasure This narrow mindedness is very clear in terms of fantasy, I see it very much in is very much toward the male pleasure the sense that once the issue of sexuality the abstract within the African context. and satisfaction is brought up, the first and major thing that comes to their mind is sexual I can't say in the past, because I have Are men taught how to give pleasure? orientation, sexual diversity and etcetera. not really done a lot in terms of the In the circumcision passage rite some This very narrow definition of sexuality history of sexuality within Africa, I've men go through in some communities , I makes it very difficult to break that just looked in terms of how I view things believe some element of it is put in narrow perception of sexuality . now. It is more about glorifying the because based on the women's reply woman's body in terms of sexual fantasy. when they are asked about pleasuring What would you say could possibly With regards to how you want to position their men , they usually reply “They be the cause or solution ? yourself or how you fantasize about (men) taught us how to do it”. Issues It is not only in Africa but a global different forms of sexual pleasure that about ensuring men's pleasure is thing. It is important to understand the kind of thing is a little bit far fetched for foremost and the various things you may different elements around sexuality, me. have to do as a woman to give a man's introduce it in schools like integrating it Any link between pleasure or sexual pleasure. This is from a female into the university curriculum. In a way fantasy and individual well being? perspective , I haven't actually gotten that it helps people to understand the much into the male perspective .There is different elements of sexuality. Not just I would rather link individual a lot of taboo surrounding sexual issues Africa around sexual diversity but also wellbeing to sexual pleasure and in Africa, may be if you open up a issue around relationships, sensuality, satisfaction. It is interesting to note that dialogue women will talk about it, the and all these elements that have not really although some women say they were problem is whether they would agree to been discussed, such as body image, not taught openly about sex and on the open up about pleasure, whether they gender identity and all these issues, and contrary can tell from a woman's happy even have pleasure is another issue. putting them together into perspective as face if her husband satisfies her or not! Sometimes opportunity for training well as what we've been discussing today Which of course would not be discussed gives you opportunity to talk about it issues around sexual citizenship and openly. If you look at the absence of because this gives people the broadening citizenship. I think these are pleasure and well being then you know opportunity to voice out their feelings some of the ways we could open that the absence of pleasure particularly and it is also at forums like this you discussions and dialogue. in the context of violence would affect discover that some adults have no idea women's general well being. I would what an orgasm is. like to say that sexual pleasure and satisfaction is actually, good for women. Public Discussion on sexuality or the But the interesting thing is that you look sexuality discourse in Africa is more at different forms of pleasure as being oriented toward sexual preference very much a male thing. You would find Naana Otoo-Oyortey is the Technical officer on I would say , it is important to broaden Gender and Rights at the International Planned that even in some of the rites of passage, the whole discourse around sexuality Parenthood Federation, London. Cont’d from page 6 Beyond Pain, Towards Pleasure In The Study Of Sexuality In Africa 2004), such as different perceptions discursive knowledge converge and research, there is an urgent need to regarding chastity defined by gender. merge. incorporate into the Aids paradigm that The different biographical narratives The challenge of sexuality research in 'the hallmark of sexuality is its elaborate how people's sexuality Africa is to bring into focus the complexity: its multiple meanings, developed in interaction with these experiential aspect of sex while sensations and connections' [17]. social axes. continuing to work from a health In short, epidemiological studies perspective (which seems inevitable for References and/or studies from a health perspective as long as research remains dependent 1 Weeks, J.(2003). Sexualities, second on sexuality have tended to ignore the on 'development-related' finances, edition. London: Routledge. construction of gendered and sexual which is not the case for sexuality 2 Arnfred, S.e. (2004). Re-thinking identities, the cultural meaning of studies in the West). We should not Sexualities in Africa. Sweden: sexual conduct, and the erotic compromise on a solid research Almqvist and Wiksell Tryckeri. significance of variant sexual practices epistemology despite pressures to do so 3 Stillwaggon, E. (2003). Racial in distinct social settings. There is no such as the pressure to work towards Metaphors: Interpreting Sex and way of avoiding the fact that accounts solutions for so-called risk behaviour AIDS in Africa. Development and of sex, intimacy and sexuality which tends to narrow down the research Change 34, 809-832. eventually come down to studying epistemology. This is easier said than 4 Robertson, C. (1997). Trouble personal sensations. These sensations done. It is why in this context Obbo calls Showed the Way. Women, Men and are comprised of the complex for a certain degree of humility in the Trade in the Nairobi Area,1890- conjunction between physiological current explosion of Aids-related 1990. Bloomington: Indiana arousal, erotic practices and sexuality studies geared towards interpretative processes; they are thus formulating answers and solutions [16]. Cont’d on page 14 situated at the threshold where body and After more than two decades of Aids 8 It Has Always Existed : Sexual Pleasure ISSUE IN FOCUS 2 And Fantasy In Africa

By Charles Ngwena

There has always been sexual pleasure and fantasies even though we may not have documented the experiences. We've not had researchers in Africa actually going into the field (Africa) to research on sexual experiences, pleasure and fantasies but I think we may have had anthropologists from other parts of the world coming. I personally don't know yet about it, and I am very keen to know about it, because it makes my teaching very difficult when we teach about sexual orientations. I am able to site taboos that have been documented along with sexual experiences of a different kind. Since there is no real evidence of documentation, do you believe that in Africa poetry helps in any way? You can say so because basically in Africa, the little that has been passed on was done verbally to some extent A Pregnant Woman With Beads Around Her Waist Credit: Waistbeads By Sewra 2008. whereas our counterparts in other parts of the world have been able to share it Charles Ngwena from the University of Yet it is not a topic that we have on films, in theatres and etcetera. the Free State chatted to the ARSRC publicly discussed. It is only now that Books written by Africans actually Director, Dr Richmond Tiemoko about we think it is important to discuss it, restrain themselves, when it comes to the programme and his views on the because if it is not discussed we'll end up discussing sex and sexual fantasy. precedence of African pleasure and for example in the situation we are in Films have also done the same, fantasy in Africa. with HIV/AIDS. So you do need to although we are now beginning to see a Sexual pleasure and fantasy in Africa make it a public matter. Also since bit of it on television. Otherwise you I think part of the problem is that in sexual diversity exists and is not would still have narratives that are very Africa this matter has not been acknowledged. It means in a sense, we private and within closed places. I'm not discussed publicly, and as a result we are contributing to the oppression of our trying to say it hasn't always been there, find it very difficult to find genealogical sexual minority. So my response will be it's just that it's always been within a or newspaper items that have publicly no, it is not a topic that is been discussed very private sphere. discussed the matter of sexual pleasure , traditionally or historically in Africa From personal experience it could so it tends to be something regarded as except through the media. have been something shared between unwritten, unsaid, and yet an important Does the fact that there has really my peers and me, so there was no part of human identity . So I would say been no public discussion on it mean institutional structure at home or in yes, the topic is very important to all of that there was no issue of sexual church or wherever, where that could be us as Africans because we are part of pleasure or sexual fantasy in Africa in shared. It was just between my school humanity and all of us regard sexual the past? mates and I and then friends too. I think pleasure as an important and essential No, it has always been there, I just that was a very limited environment for aspect of our being human and our think that Africa is not an exceptional sharing. You probably would want it to identity. case with regards to other societies. go beyond that but I don't think it did.

9 The teacher for example wouldn't one day you meet your partner it would these other forms of sexuality. communicate anything to allow you to not just be simply a platonic relationship HIV/AIDS is another important reason think it is a subject that you can entertain but a relationship that among other why we must talk about it because only and listen to. So it was very much of a things involve sexual communion then would there be some sort control of private conversation between me and between you and the other party. I was unwanted or adolescent pregnancy. As a my peers. It was only after living home cultured into a prosexual culture and I matter of fact, there are many reasons and experiencing other countries I why we should promote a public discus discovered that it is something that is on sexuality and sexual pleasure supposed to be shared in public because we are bound to suffer from lack Books written of knowledge and by remaining silent Socialization and Sexual Fantasy and calling it a private matter. The same I think like any young person you are by Africans could be said about commercial sex curious about your first sexual work, that it is some thing that we ought experience and this I believe actually restrain to discus publicly, and provide an happened to all of us and these are the environment where commercial sex sort of things we would share with our themselves, work could be discussed without the peers. Like if somebody had a sexual provider of the service becoming experience he would want to share it when it comes to victims or at least minimizing the cost on with his closest friends because we the people who provide this service. were just curious about sex and what discussing sex the experience was like. I'm not sure Could you please tell us briefly about about fantasies. I suppose by fantasies and sexual your masters programme? one might imagine they might want The masters in law programme on more than one partner, I can't fantasy reproductive and sexual right was remember any of us either launched in 2005 with the support of the experiencing or longing for this sort of ford foundation. We train graduates fetish. It was actually after reading and accepted that as the norm. It was only from different African countries who knowing about other peoples much later in life that I discovered it already have law degrees. They come experiences that I discovered that, that could be different. Sex is not just to here to do their masters in law could be a pleasure if one was inclined make children but it is also an important programme, with a special focus on towards that. In my opinion, based on part of how we recreate. reproductive and sexual right. The programme is in its 3rd year here and it is my experience I would still say that the Bringing sexual fantasy into public actually the first programme on the African experience tends to be a private discourse in Africa one between very close friends and it's Africa continent to opt for an academic I think when it was private, it wasn't barely even shared with my brother. curriculum, which focuses on problematic. To the best of my reproductive and sexual health and Link Between sexual pleasure and knowledge I never saw the need but now rights. individual well being? that I know about sexual diversity and Well, as the sexual beings that we are, the oppression of the sexual minority, I Prof Charles Ngwena is the director of the Masters we become socialized at an early age programme on Reproductive and Sexual Rights at think it is important to bring it out in the the University of the Free State, South Africa a Ford into roles, there is an expectation that public in other to have recognition of Foundation supported programme in the Faculty of Law.

10 REGION WATCH Creating a Sensual Lifestyle

By Marlene Wasserman

deeply entrenched into me. I merely discovered a new outlet for my commitment to human rights: sexual and reproductive health rights for all people. This included and embraced the concept of the right for all people to have sexual pleasure and fantasy as is s t a t e d i n t h e Wo r l d H e a l t h Organization's Bill of Sexual Rights (2002) In my passion for skills and knowledge I was left with little choice but to travel Introduction person within a society. Applying this to United States of America for training Fourteen years ago I came out as a model to my experience, South African and accreditation and finally a couple and sex therapist. Like my sexuality was seen primarily within a Doctorate from the Institute of country, South Africa, coming out from medical context which determined Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, years of sexual repression, darkness and which behaviours were “normal” and San Francisco, CA, USA. criminalization into the light of a which were “pathological”. For Fifteen years later, I am the voice of sexually democratic nation, I e x a m p l e h o m o s e x u a l i t y a n d sexual and reproductive health rights in acknowledged my curiosity and great masturbation were abnormal illnesses. my country. My organization, branded desire to make a difference to people's Much sexual behaviour, for example as DR. EVE, represents the principles of sexuality and relationships. loving and being sexual with the person all human rights organizations. I stand you chose irrespective of race and I began my academic and clinical for advocacy, lobbying, treating, culture, were illegal and punishable by career as a Clinical Social Worker with a educating and informing all people of law. The Apartheid government ensured special interest in psychopathology. I my country. In turn I am deeply censorship of press and freedom of then did a Masters degree and became a committed to carrying the voice of speech which removed people's rights to Family Therapist. In my work with S o u t h A f r i c a n s e x u a l i t y a n d learn about sexuality via schools, families I understood that children's relationships to the rest of the world. homes, pornographic material, sex toys pathologies were merely symbolic of or religious institutions. And religion Mission their parent's difficult relationships. I continued to exert control and regulate My mission is to advocate, lobby and removed the children from the therapy people's sexuality. educate people about their sexual, room and began couple work. Only to relational and reproductive health find that couples wanted to speak about Any sexual pleasure and fantasy in rights. My mission is to teach people sexuality. South Africa was deeply repressed and about their sexual and relationship suppressed. People knew the expression As is well documented, the study of rights, responsibilities and rewards, thereof led to imprisonment, shame and sexuality has to be done within an including pleasure and fantasy. pain. Against this backdrop couples integrative bio-psycho-social model. In Included in my mission is my turned to me for sexual counselling. addition, analysis and understanding of commitment to clinically treat people sexuality have to consider the political, Being raised in a family of politically who struggle with gaining pleasure socio economic and cultural climate of a aware activists, human rights were within themselves and their intimate Cont’d on page 15

11 relationships. On an equal level of 2007). Sexual health clinicians pressure. They need fantasies to commitment my mission is to bring encourage people to have sexual overcome sexual dysfunctions and Africa, specifically South Africa, into pleasure as it is healthy and contributes regain confidence as lovers. The the international arena of awareness, an Internet and mobile technology arena which can benefit from provides an overdose of fantasies learning about our unique sexual creating a whole new set of sexual & expressions of pleasure and fantasy The expectation relationship challenges for people and and of course , contributing their clinicians to manage. experience to our country. of pleasure Education, responsible decision A passion for pleasure and fantasy making and knowing your right to for a better, healthier sexuality of all drives people pleasure and fantasy are part of the work people in my country motivates me I do in my organization. to continue this work. There are into positive Lessons many obstacles to working in this My lessons include remembering this area both from a human rights angle ongoing and working more compassionately as as well as a personal level. People well as more doggedly in this area. I continue to be steeped in fear and rewarding have learned that sexual and ignorance which inhibits their reproductive health rights, including the pleasure and limits their fantasies. behaviours. right to pleasure and fantasy, need to be The importance Of Pleasure And taught, within a context of human rights Fantasy thus one cannot compromise on these The words “pleasure” and “fantasy” to overall quality of life. rights. have many different meanings and However for South Africans today, I have learned that education, access to interpretations. Within a macrocosmic sexual and loving pleasure includes information and resources and services context pleasure is essential as a abuse, violence and HIV/STI's. It is thus are essential to pleasure and well being motivational factor in all people's lives. imperative that people are educated of all people, ranging from young The expectation of pleasure drives about how to have and enjoy people to ageing people. I have learned people into positive ongoing rewarding responsible sexual and relationship that ignorance, fear and myths about behaviours. During the Apartheid pleasure. This forms an integral focus of sexual pleasure and fantasies ultimately regime there was no expectation of my work. cause violence and death. pleasure due to the controls exerted as described above. Thus people lived Fantasy is imagination. Stress, lifestyle I have learned that as educators, fearful and unhappy lives which realities such as crime, violence and parents, clinicians we are responsible extended into unhappy interpersonal living in a country with the highest HIV for the loss of pleasure and worse. Thus relationships. Within a microcosmic incidence, plus the highest femicide and it is incumbent upon all of us to carry out context one of the ways people seek abuse statistic requires people to our responsibilities: let's talk about pleasure is through sexual relation. If fantasize a lot on a macro level. We need sexuality! to fantasize about feeling safe, about p l e a s u r e i s e x p e c t e d w i t h i n http://www.dreve.co.za/talk/index.html interpersonal relating then people keep being able to negotiate condoms and having responsible sexual experiences. Dr Marlene Wasserman is a clinician, educator and seeking this relationship. Research sexual activist. She is fascinated with the mysteries of indicates that sexual expression has relationships, love and sexuality and committed to On a micro level people are enveloped promoting sexual health and reproductive rights. Dr many health benefits (Whipple, WAS, in performance anxiety and response Wasserman is also the author of Dr. Eve's Teen Sex Book.

12 Expression Through Lack Of Expression : SPOTLIGHT Lingerie And Sexual Fantasy In Cairo

By Amany Abouzeid

to say there are no up in three different attires for three other forms of different looks and interviewed some of s e x u a l the men who had made these comments interactions, the at me. I carefully studied their three fact is that the different expressions and responses to only open norm is me based not only on my questions but heterosexual. also on the way I was dressed. One of the I would say my “normal” standard growing trends Cairo look, is a veil, which is a very e s p e c i a l l y i n conservative look and a rather real cape. Cairo is that the I think in the three cases these men saw city is littered with their fantasy. By this I mean, they saw lingerie boutiques what they wanted to see and not what I and not just any was actually wearing. lingerie but the I went out with a headscarf and a veil, types sold in but a sleeveless top the first time and he E u r o p e a n s e x interacted with me quite well because he shops. Ironically saw the scarf, so I assumed the symbol In this article , Amany Abouzeid the these boutiques are filled with heavily of the scarf is the same as that of the veil, Director of Programmes for Rainbow, veiled women. Some of them are even he did not realize that I was wearing a shared her views on sexual fantasy and accompanied by their male companions sleeveless top, he was in fantasy of the sexualized relations in North Africa who might be their husbands, fiancés or veil and I think I am using fantasy here to What is your view on sexual fantasy boyfriends holding hands and admiring mean a constructive stereo type, that the and sexual expression in Africa? these products and no one seems to people are responding to irrespective of Have there any changes over time? flinch at the sight of such intimate pieces what is actually going on. What they are of clothing. That is a very wild and difficult actually seeing is either the condoned subject, ironically fantasy comes to Since no one seems to flinch, I believe image of the veiled woman with the cape mind. Although a North African Muslim this is basically playing on individual in front of the box, or the uncondoned Country, Egypt is metamorphosing at a fantasy. By this I mean, these image of the unveiled woman with a very fast rate and increasingly individuals to a great extent have to rely cross in front of the box. What suddenly becoming more competitive, especially on fantasy because the actual places for and interestingly came to my mind was with regards to the thought that a lot of manifesting any sort of sexual the fact that a lot of gender interactions sexual expressions are actually interaction are getting narrower, and with a huge amount of underlying sexual mediated through lack of expression or narrower. contents are taking place so fast on the streets of Cairo. consecrated by its absence thus Another thing that I can relate to resulting in its mediation through fantasy which I discovered during my I remember when a colleague fantasy. Especially since the research in Cairo is the very commented on one of my earring “It's so predominant and only open norm of Mediterranean phenomenon of sudden exotic you know!”, I had looked at her sexual interaction is still heterosexual. sexual harassment. This usually amazed at how she had projected an Could you elaborate on what you involves men commenting on the exotic identity on me. So I had to be an mean by sexual expression being appearance of women, by making sexual exotic person to be wearing exotic mediated through lack of expression? remarks like “Ahh she is beautiful'', things. What I am saying is that we most What I mean to say is that I think we “Ahh she does the moon walk” and of the time interact along the lines of are into acting, especially based on the etcetera. This kind of engendered form what I choose to call fantasy predominant form of sexual expression, of interaction. I actually carried out a Lingerie And Sexual Fantasy which is the heterosexual principle that participatory research where I dressed is between men and women. This is not

13 It is interesting to know that there's a bearded man. Any way that's my virginity products,. you know like soaps shop chain called ''the tashid personal opinion to it doesn't really and gels which the manufacturers claim owhonual''. It is an Islamic terminology count but things are really happening. tighten the Vagina and make you as which means “the unity and the light'', Is there any change in the good as new. It is in all the shops, I didn't owned by a prominent Muslim figure expression sexual fantasy? go into any specialized shop. What actually caught my attention was the who openly supports it financially and I think it has always been there but label written 'virginity soap' and more otherwise. Ironically he is a religious what is increasing is the sexualization of interesting was the fact that it was conservative who does not employ this fantasy. I mean to say, there have written in Arabic. Feigning ignorance, I women in any of his establishments! been fantasies or what you can call the tried to inquire about its meaning and clichés of class. Class was more salient The contrast in the lingerie business in walked up to a trader and asked, 'What in the Egyptian context but the almost Cairo is interesting. By this I mean, it is does this mean?, you wouldn't believe aggressive under current sexualization an Islamic country and the traders of the look he gave me. It was this kind of and objectifications, is of course that this intimate articles of clothing are where on the planet have you been not which came in parallel to the long bearded men dressed in three to know what this is!” quarters Jalabia discussing with their fundamentalism. The increasingly customers who are fully veiled women. conservative gender relation is not I also remember when a colleague in You actually hear these women internal fundamentalism because all of London commented on one of my discussing bra sizes and making them fight conservatism. It is a very earring “It's so exotic you know!”, I had statements like, “Oh no I would like a hierarchical society but under current looked at her amazed at how she had 40DD, you know I have big boobs”. sexualisation, it is very much at the stage projected an exotic identity on me. So I where it has risen especially in religious had to be an exotic person to be wearing Its amazing, I just could not conservatism beyond the doubt. exotic things. What I am saying is that understand this. Of course these shops Consequently with so much local we most of the time interact along the are very competitive price wise and constrains along site globalization, I lines of what I choose to call fantasy. everybody always goes there including would say that sexual fantasy has Christian women and others but they become more apparent and visible. hire men who measure women. Personally, I have my reservations with These Developments Not limited to regards to this , if I want to go to a Egypt Amany Abouzeid is the Director of Programmes for lingerie shop, I'll rather have a woman While in Nairobi recently, attending a Rainbow, working on the health and rights for African attend to me rather than a heavily training workshop, I bought several women based in the United Kingdom products, all of which claim to be

Cont’d from page 8 Beyond Pain, Towards Pleasure In The Study Of Sexuality In Africa

University Press. 10 Spronk, R. 2005b. "There is a Time 15 Tadele, G. 2006. Bleak Prospects: 5 White, L. 1990. The Comforts of to Fool Around and There is a Time Young Men, Sexuality and Home. Prostitution in Colonial to Grow Up". Balancing Sex, HIV/AIDS in an Ethiopian Town. Nairobi. Chicago: The Relationships and Notions of Africa Studies Centre Series. University of Chicago Press. Masculinity in Nairobi. In Leiden: Brill Academic Publishers. 6 Mutongi, K. 2000. 'Dear Dolly's' Rethinking 16 Obbo, C. 1998. Social Science Advice: Representations of Youth, Masculinities, Violence and AIDS Research: Understanding and Courtship, and (Eds) D. Gibson & A. Hardon. Action. In Vivre et Penser le Sida en Sexualities in Africa, 1960-1980. Amsterdam: Het Afrique / Experiencing and International Journal of African Spinhuis Publishers. Understanding Aids in Africa (eds) Historical Studies 11 Spronk, R. 2006. Ambiguous C. Becker, J.-P. Dozon, C. Obbo & 33, 1-23. Pleasures. Sexuality and New Self- M. Touré. Dakar, Paris: Codesria, 7 Thomas, L.M. 2003. Politics of the definitions in Nairobi. Unpublished Karthala Womb. Women, Reproduction and PhD thesis: University of 17 Vance, C.S. 1984. Pleasure and the State in Kenya. Berkeley: Amsterdam. Danger: Toward a Politics of University of California Press. 12 Butler, J. 1997. The Psychic Life of Sexuality. In Pleasure and Danger. 8 Spronk, R Forthcoming. Media and Power: Theories in Subjection. Exploring Female Sexuality (ed.) the Therapeutic Discourse of Love Stanford: Stanford University C.S. Vance. London: Pandora. in Middle-class Nairobi. In Press. Locating Love in Africa, Rethinking 13 Heald, S. 1995. The Power of Sex: Love from Africa (ed.) J.Cole and L. Some Reflections on Caldwells' Thomas. 'African Sexuality' Thesis. Africa 9 Spronk, R. 2005a. Female 65, 491-506. Sexuality in Nairobi: Flawed or 14 Eerdewijk, A.v. 2006. Love and Favoured? Culture, Health and Money: the Intimate Relationships Rachel Spronk is a lecturer in the Sociology/Anthropology Department at the University Sexuality 7, 267-279. of Dakarois Girls. Etnofoor 19. of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

14 NOTES TO CONTRIBUTORS GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS

The editors welcome submissions Technology is fast affecting ways of from programme implementers. related to future issues of the Magazine life in Africa even though the level of Research Notes: Focus on research and also other areas of sexuality, sexual technology penetration in the continent and methodologies health and rights in Africa. These is quite limited when compared with Viewpoint:: Reactions to previous articles or poems should be objective, the level in other parts of the world. Yet magazine issues or subject areas that a analytical and reflect current issues and access to Global services for mobile reader wishes to express very strong debates i.e. taking a broader approach to communication (GSM) and the Internet opinions about. sexuality and taking the sexuality is growing at one of the fastest rates in Length: discourse beyond health to integrate the the world. Another technological Feature article : 1,000 - 1, 500 words expression of sexuality without guilt or development likely to affect sexual Research issues: 800 - 1, 000 words fear. life and relationships in Africa is the Opinion articles: 400 - 500 Priority would be given to previously availability of sex toys/aids and drugs words unpublished articles while already for sexual dysfunction. published material might be considered Contributions to this edition of the Pictures: based on the relevance of the subject magazine will explore and analyze the Pictures are welcome with or without area to ARSRC's work, accompanied by effects of these technological articles and appropriate credit would be details of where to seek permission for developments on sexuality in Africa. given if the picture is used. its reprint. Presently we are seeking One of the questions an attempt would Presentation: articles on: be made to resolve is how and the extent An abstract with your name, contact to which technology could foster sexual address, phone number, email address 'Unusual Marriage' And Sexual pleasure and health within the social, and short personal bio as you would Health And Rights In Africa ( Volume legal and religious framework of the like it to appear on the list of 5 Issue 1) society. Undoubtedly, marriage remains an contributors should also be submitted. important and valued social institution Transactional And Commercial Sex: References: as well as the main location of Facts, Issues And Policy Implications *** It is important to note that 'approved' sexuality. For many ( Volume 5 Issue 3) references should be from the last five stakeholders, marriage appears as a This edition of the magazine will years. explore and analyze facts and control mechanism of 'socially *** All contributors would be sent a controversies on transactional and acceptable' sexuality. Interestingly, the copy of the issue with their published commercial sex. Some of the key values attached to and the centrality of articles. marriage have recently revitalized the questions for consideration are: What politics of the institution. What is are the levels, forms and factors of these All correspondence should be marriage? Who should be married? To practices? What policies and addressed to: whom? When? And where? Have programmes are needed to address the The Editor, Sexuality in Africa therefore become major contentious issues of sexual health and well-being Africa Regional Sexuality Resource issues in the politics of the marriage related to the practice of transactional Centre, institution. What is however clear, is sex, commercial sex and sex tourism? 17 Lawal St., off Oweh St., Jibowu, that marriage is evolving especially PO Box 803, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. among the youths. Food, Body And Sexual Well-being ( E-mail [email protected] Urfi (or Secret Marriage) in Egypt, Vat- Volume 5 Issue 4) P l e a s e v i s i t o u r w e b s i t e - en sit in South Africa, Come we stay This issue of the magazine will explore www.arsrc.org - for more information (Kenya), informal marriage (West the relationship between food, the body and to access online editions of the Africa) and same-sex relationship are and sexual well-being. Contributions magazine. Hard copies of the just some of the emerging forms of will look at the sexualization of the magazine will be made available on long-term relationships that will be the body and food, and the extent to which request and subscribers will however focus of the magazine. Contributions this process contributes to individual be required to pay the cost of postage. will address, amongst others, the sexual well-being in contemporary following questions: the prevalence, Africa. Issues around femininity, meaning and sexual health implications masculinity and nutrition will also be o f t h e s e h i t h e r t o u n u s u a l explored. marriages/unions. Region Watch: Topical Issues with a Te c h n o l o g y, S e x u a l i t y A n d country or sub regional focus. Reproductive Rights In Africa: ( Programme Feature: Best practices Volume 5 Issue 2)

15 Sexuality Resources

Ambiguous Pleasures: Sexuality And New Self- Definitions In Nairobi Author: Rachel Spronk Publisher: University Of Amsterdam, 2006

In this book, Rachel Spronk merges sexuality research and the debates in African studies about postcolonial societies. She carefully analyses sexuality as a prism to study societal transformations by exploring how sexuality is constituted socially and experienced personally and how the social group of young professionals can be seen as being in the vanguard concerning reconfigurations of gender, sexuality and culture. In other words she explores how sexuality has gained a new meaning in modern lifestyles and how sex has become central to self expression among young professionals in Nairobi.

With Pleasure; Thoughts On The Nature Of Human Sexuality Author: Paul R. Abramson & Steven D. Pinkerton Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2002 ISBN: 0195146093 (Paperback)

This book explains why sex feels good and examines the far reaching implications of the pleasurabilty of sex in all its guises. The book argues that pleasure is the premiere evolutionary motivator and, therefore the pursuit of sexual pleasure is as natural as a bear seeking honey. Bur sex is risky, for individuals who might contract STDs and society alike, hence the repressive effect of the current AIDS epidemic.

Forbidden Flowers: women's Secret Sexual Fantasies Author: Nancy Friday Publisher : Arrow Books, 2003 ISBN : 0099462427 (Paperback)

Forbidden Flowers is a celebration of new freedom, where today's women joyfully accept and rejoice in the awareness of their own inner sexual lives .Nancy Friday's Ground breaking work adds an exhilarating new freedom to the ever changing relationship between the sexes.

Masturbation As a Means Of Achieving Sexual Health Author: Walter O. Bockting, PhD and Eli Coleman, PhD (Eds) Publisher: The Haworth Press, Inc ISBN: 0789029467(Paperback)

This book looks beyond the taboos and cultural misconceptions to see how masturbation can promote sexual health. Here masturbation is seen as a critical component in the development of sexual health and explores both positive and negative powers of the act, carefully outlining viable ideas for future research. It also presents a concise historical overview of societal attitudes toward masturbation and reports on changes in masturbatory behaviour in the twentieth century, including the trend towards an earlier age when women begin to masturbate and the increased recognition of masturbation as a source of sexual pleasure irrespective of relationship status or other sexual activity

Love And Sex Author: Elaine Hatfield and Richard L. Rapson Publisher: University Press Of America, 2005 ISBN: 0761832327

In this book Elaine Hatfield and Richard Rapson focus on the cross- cultural research concerning the passionate beginnings of relationships ; how people meet, fall in love , make love and fall out of love , usually only to risk it all over again. Through in depth analysis and astute assessment, they compare the way cultures try to set rules for these incendiary matters. The two main questions addressed here are; “What seems to be biological and universal?” and “What seems to be socially constructed and transient?”

Pillowtalk Author: Dr Marlene Wasserman Publisher: Oshun Books, 2007 ISBN: 9781770200098 In the early 14th century Japanese tradition allowed for a young woman to receive a Pillowbook from her mother on the eve of her wedding. Placed under the bride's pillow this book was filled with sexual permission, advice, tips and techniques for the young lovers. Renowned sexologist Dr Marlene Wasserman also known as “Dr Eve”, has used this traditional concept as the basis of her guide to women's sexuality and relationships. She describes Pillowbook as her gift to women of all ages, stages and cultures who want more out of their relationships and also for women who wish they could recapture the passion that used to make sexual experiences so exciting and those who have never experienced real passion.

The Pleasure Project http://www.thepleasureproject.org/ The Pleasure Project is an educational organization that promotes safer sex that feels good. While safer sex and HIV prevention programmes are negative and disease-focused, The Pleasure Project is different, in the sense that it takes a positive, liberating and sexy approach to safer sex with the view of sex as education. The project aims to make sex safer by addressing one of the major reasons people have sex, which is the pursuit of pleasure.

The materials featured here are available for use in the Africa Regional Sexuality Resource Centre