50/50 in the bedroom--women claiming their sexual rights.The vagina vagina: see reproductive system. vagina Genital canal in females. Together with the cavity of the uterus, it forms the birth canal. In most virgins, its external opening is partially closed by a thin fold of tissue (hymen), which has various forms, cleans itself? Yes. Are you sure? Yes. So, I don't don't 1. Contraction of do not. 2. Nonstandard Contraction of does not. n. A statement of what should not be done: a list of the dos and don'ts. need to wash inside my vagina? No. The vagina cleans itself. How to care for our bodies was one of many topics explored at Sister Namibia's national training of trainers workshop held in September. Forty women from towns and villages across Namibia, including two from the Osire refugee refugee, one who leaves one's native land either because of expulsion or to escape persecution. The legal problem of accepting refugees is discussed under asylum; this article considers only mass dislocations and the organizations that help refugees. camp, gathered in Windhoek for a week to become part of a new campaign that encourages women to survive and overcome sexual violence and the HIV HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), either of two closely related retroviruses that invade T-helper lymphocytes and are responsible for AIDS. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for the vast majority of AIDS in the United States. and Aids pandemic Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has led to the deaths of more than 25 million people since it was first recognized in 1981, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. by claiming their sexual rights. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Great expectations As the participants gathered for the first day of the workshop, they quietly wrote their expectations. 'To learn more about our sexual rights as women' topped the list, while others expected to share ideas and insights with women from different parts of the country. Some of the women hoped to learn more about how to prevent HIV and some looked forward to networking. The content of the workshop was based on a booklet produced by Women's Leadership Centre: We, women and girls of Namibia claim our right to survive HIV and Aids by challenging poverty, violence and oppressive cultural practices. Workshop sessions included prevention of parent to child transmission of HIV, harmful cultural practices and sexual rights. Facilitators from Ibis ibis (ī`bĭs), common name for wading birds with long, slender, decurved bills, found in the warmer regions of both hemispheres. The body is usually about 2 ft (61 cm) long. Most ibises nest in colonies. helped the participants to take a more personal look at HIV and Aids, while in other sessions expert information was provided on the new rape kit rape kit Forensic medicine A collection of receptacles–cups, envelopes, plastic bags, tubes, disposable items–cotton swabs, napkins, pipettes and tools–sterile comb for pubic hairs, sheets–used to obtain evidentiary specimens from a rape that will soon be used to collect better forensic Belonging to courts of justice. forensic 1) adj. from Latin forensis for "belonging to the forum," ancient Rome's site for public debate, and currently meaning pertaining to the courts. evidence in cases of rape. We also looked at how to go about accessing social grants and services. The highlight of the week was a session facilitated by Elsie Hlahla, a former staff member of Social Marketing Agency, providing frank and vital information on sexuality, sex and condoms. Women then got the chance to express their thoughts and experiences in writing, imagining their sexual rights in action. What does 50/50 in the bedroom look like, feel like, sound like? Talking about the sexual pleasure of women--that was a turn-on! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Taking the campaign home The workshop ended with an air of anticipation as the women headed off to share what they had learned. One participant commented: "It was my first time at a workshop and I feel so good about the things I have learned concerning sexual practices and the rights of women. I will proceed with this work." Another said, "I was happy to attend and to meet all of the women and make friends. I've attended over one hundred workshops, but this one is extraordinary. It is for rural women and gives us something we can give to the people." Many of the women called on each other to take the work seriously in order to push for the sexual rights of women in their communities. "This was a great chance to get our voices heard," said one of the participants. "Now we have to start making changes from here. Let us take these materials and go out into our community." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Over the next two months, participants will use the training, materials and resources provided by Sister Namibia to conduct their local workshops and outreach Outreach is an effort by an organization or group to connect its ideas or practices to the efforts of other organizations, groups, specific audiences or the general public. activities for women in their communities. As one participant said, "Knowledge is power. Let us empower empower verb To encourage or provide a person with the means or information to become involved in solving his/her own problems other women with the knowledge we have." Photos by Liz Frank |
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