Talking About Sex and Culture in the African Diaspora

This December, during 16 days of activism against gender-based-violence, we are holding a unique version of our annual African Diaspora Women’s Forum. This forum will be an intimate conversation between three generations of the African diaspora – an opportunity to ask questions, break taboos and explore how the relationship between sex and culture has changed over time.

Much of the way we understand and engage in sexual activity is shaped by our culture(s) and social norms. The effects of patriarchy and gender inequalities intrude even in our sex lives, and how we think about sex. As African women in the diaspora, issues of race and identity add intersecting layers to the question of what “appropriate” sexual norms are.

#ADWF17 will explore all of this in a relaxed, safe space. Join the conversation on sex and sexuality; the conversation that we usually only hear in our women-only office, and the questions we might only ask in giggles after a glass of wine. Conversations that we are sure resonate with many women in the diaspora and throughout many WhatsApp groups.

FORWARD has been working on issues relating to women’s sexuality and health for a long time – vaginas and sex talk are par for the course in our internal conversations! #ADWF17 will open those conversations out to you – to explore diaspora women’s experiences of straddling several cultures and managing the associated norms and pressures. Come and share your experience so that together we can unpick how these social norms perpetuate harmful traditional practices and sexual and gender based violence.

Places are limited as the forum will be held on an intimate scale. Tickets are £5 to ensure attendance and all contributions go towards our work with African women and girls. Click here to book your ticket now!

A few things to think about before the forum:

1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime
200 million women and girls have undergone FGM worldwide
43% of women under 35 have been sexually harassed at some point on the streets of London
How is this possible? Is there anything in our cultural norms that means these behaviours and practices continue even with all our contemporary knowledge?
This event is only open to African women and women of African heritage.