ARSRC holds 7th sexuality leadership devt. fellowship in Nigeria

By  Gabriel Olawale

The African Regional Sexuality Resource Centre (ARSRC), brought together participants from Ghana, South Africa, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria to Action Health  Incorporated, Lagos for the Sexuality Leadership Development Fellowship (SLDF) which took place from 19th  to 30th July 2010.

According to Mrs. Adenike Esiet, the Executive Director of AHI, the focus of this year’s programme 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 reasonable and pleasurable expression of sexuality in Africa.

The SLDF is an annual capacity development programme organised by the ARSRC, a project of Action Health Incorporated (AHI) with funding from Ford Foundation.

She said the objectives for the SLDF 2010 was to develop a better understanding of the concepts and contexts of sexuality, sexual health and sexual rights in Africa, increase the capacity to interrogate specific contemporary sexuality issues and challenges on the continent, and articulate how to engage with promoting sexual health and rights in different countries.

The theme of this 7th edition of the SLDF is “Addressing the Sexual Vulnerability of Young Women in Africa.” Participants who are professionals in various fields with demonstrable experience and interest in the area of sexuality, sexuality health and rights from various backgrounds and organisations including non-governmental and governmental agencies, faith-based institutions , the academia and media observers had the opportunity to learn and share experiences regarding effective strategies for policies and programming aimed at reducing sexual violence against girls and young women.

Seasoned professionals from Nigeria and abroad who facilitated the training include: Prof. Taiwo Oloruntoba-Oju, Mrs. ‘Nike Esiet, Princess Olufemi Kayode, Dr. Abiola Tilley-Gyado,  Prof. Ayo Atsenuwa, Mrs. Dorothy Aken-Ova and Prof. Peju Olukoya of the World Health Organisation.