【TUFiSCo-ILCAA International Symposium】Sexuality in Contemporary Africa: Tradition, Education and Practices

Date

Sat 28 Jan - Sun 29 Jan 2023

Place

303 Large Conference Room Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa, TUFS / Online Meeting
http://www.aa.tufs.ac.jp/en/about/access

Theme Abstract

Despite the international development organizations’ efforts toward mitigation of learner single motherhood, early pregnancies, and HIV prevalence among societies in Africa, these issues have remained persistently incremental in the last one decade and more recently worsened during COVID-19 pandemic. Menstrual poverty and related WASH problems remain systemic. What explains this trend? Prior to colonial invasion, sexuality was central to every society whereby the family was the educational pivot. The events that followed colonial occupation repositioned the sexuality values toward ‘presumed modernity’. The transitioning from the traditional to the ‘presumed modern’ practices has mutated into dynamic between-ness. In this symposium, we ethnographically interrogate this between-ness and associated complications. We tackle the sensitivities of sexuality in some societies and address the cultural, religious, and political dimensions of sexual education and practices. We identify the existential gaps in the sexual education in the life cycle of a ‘presumed modern African’ society.

Program

10:30 Opening Remarks
10:35–10:45 Introduction
Dr. Wakana Shiino (Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa(ILCAA), Tokyo University of Foreign Studies(TUFS))

The 1st day: Traditional Sexual Knowledge Today
10:45–11:20
1) Ms. Etuwete Shiningayamwe (Ph.D. Student, TUFS)
‘Challenges Facing Schoolteachers in Preventing and Managing Learner Pregnancy: The Case of Rural Namibia’
11:20–11:55
2) Mr. Tendai Mutembedza (Ph.D. candidate, University of Cape town)
‘Centering Sexuality in Men and Communities' Constructions of Early Marriage Practices in Zimbabwe.’
11:55–13:15 Lunch time
13:15–13:55
3) Dr. Wakana SHIINO (Associate Professor, ILCAA, TUFS)
Transmission of Sexual Knowledge - Tradition and Intergenerational Disconnection in Rural Kenya
+Ms. Lynnet Achieng Ogallo (Primary School Teacher)
13:55–14:05 Break Time
14:05–14:40
4) Dr. Florence Muhanguzi Kyoheirwe (Makerere University)
The Dilemmas of Communicating Sexuality Knowledge to the Young People in Uganda: Parents and Teachers Speak Out.
14:40–15:15
5) Dr. Tom Ondicho (Associate Professor, University of Nairobi/ Visiting Professor, ILCAA, TUFS)
The Influence of Sexual Health Education on HIV Risky Sexual Behaviours and Practices among Kenyan University Students.
15:15–15:30 Break Time
15:30–16:05
6) Ms. Kaori MIYACHI (Visiting researcher, Saga University)
FGM/C and Education in the Present: How Have Anti-FGM Activities Brought Changes in Kenya?
16:05–16:40
7) Ms. Eri KODA (P.h.D. student, Ritsumeikan University)
Having Sugar Daddies and Sugar Mummies: Ambivalent Attitudes towards Youth Sexual Relationships in Urban Ghana.
16:40–16:50 Break Time
16:50–17:30 Discussion
Commentator: Prof. Yukio MIYAWAKI (Osaka Metropolitan University)

The 2nd Day: Menstrual Hygiene Management(MHM) and Sexual Education in Africa
13:00–13:35
8) Dr. Viola Nilah Nyakato (Senior Lecturer, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Uganda) : virtual attendance
‘The Family Structure has Changed: Explaining the Need for a Cultural Shift towards Parents’ upper Hand in Sexuality education in Uganda’
13:35–14:15
9) Dr. Ian Karusigarira (National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies: GRIPS)
In between Traditions: Interrogating MHM Education as an Inclusive Approach in Uganda.
+Ms. Beatrice Kyogabirwe (High School teacher)
14:15–14:30 Break Time
14:30–15:05
10) Dr. Stella Nyanzi (PEN Germany)
‘Politicisation of Organising against Period Poverty in Uganda: a Case Study of #Pads4GirlsUG’
15:05–15:40
11) Mr. Vela Night Okindo (Trans Empowerment Initiative: TEI) : virtual attendance
Dignifying Mensuration in Transgender Men.
15:40–16:15
12) Prof. Elli SUGITA (Osaka University)
Walls Standing in the Way of Menstrual Equity: A Case Study from Japan.
16:15–16:30 Break Time
16:30–17:30 Discussion
Commentator: Dr. Soichiro SHIRAISHI (Hirosaki University)

Chair: Wakana SHIINO

Language: English

Registration, etc.

Admission: Free

Pre-registration is required.
For registration, please see here. Registration deadline is 25 Jan.
https://forms.gle/VgX9MuSNJepcDMCM8
Website: https://bit.ly/3G0Brx6

Organized by:
TUFS Field Science Commons (TUFiSCo), Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) (Principal Investigator: Wakana SHIINO (ILCAA) Project Number: 22H00769), Field Science Center (FSC), African Studies Center, TUFS ILCAA Joint Research Project “Global Youth Dynamics and ‘reality’ negotiation in Eastern Africa”

For the latest information, please refer to the following link.
http://www.aa.tufs.ac.jp/en/event/upcoming#29108