A. Sexual Health

Talking About Sexual Health
Handout 160

You might begin by asking the group to commit to a shared definition of confidentiality. Confidentiality may mean not discussing what a speaker said except when she is present, or no discussion outside the formal group setting (no gossip or casual conversation). Invite everyone to participate as much as they feel comfortable. If they choose not to discuss or write something, they do not need to explain why.

Then frame sexual health as part of health and ask learners to discuss sexual health. Sexual health is taking care of the sexual parts of our bodies and feeling good about our sexuality, sexual choices and activities.

1. Talking about sexual health

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Refer to some diagrams of women's bodies. You might look at Immigrant Women's Health Handbook, pages 2 - 3, and Taking Care: A Handbook about Women's Health.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Learners can copy the terms, or more advanced learners can write directly onto the activity sheets and check spelling.

* Ask learners to complete
"Talking about Sexual Health".
* Ask them to share what they wish to, and discuss.

2. Labelling diagrams

* Ask learners to make their own diagrams (or prepare some for them) of women's bodies, including the sex parts.
* Ask learners to label the sex parts, using formal terms which some people use when talking to doctors or nurses.
* Ask them to write in other, more informal terms.
* Enlarge one drawing for poster-sized classroom use.
* A question to consider:

  • Which terms do we prefer to use? Why?

Women whose families come from Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia, Yemen and parts of Brazil, Mexico, and Peru may have had clitoridectomies (removal of the skin or tip of the clitoris), excisions (removal of clitoris and the inner labia), or infibulations (removal of the inner and parts of the outer labia, stitching the vulva together to leave a small opening for urine and menstrual blood). Operated women need information about their own bodies, unoperated women's bodies and about their specific health needs. You can say that your drawings are of unoperated women.

For diagrams of operated women's bodies, see "Ritual Female Circumcision and Its effects on Female Sexual Function," by Ruth Brighouse.


Back Contents Next