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Sexuality and Development
Development usually treats sexuality as a problem - to do with over-population, sexually transmitted disease, or sexual violence in the home and as a weapon of war. The images that come with any mention of the subject are those of risk and danger, disease and death. This focus well describes some of the consequences of the disregard for sexual rights that exists the world over. However, this negativity generates fear and disempowerment, and discourages us from seeing how we might be able to change our situations. Rather than focusing on pain, harm and wrongs, a more positive, pleasure-oriented, view of sexuality offers an entirely different set of entry points for work to make sexual rights real.
It is with these entry points that the work of the IDS Sexuality and Development Programme is concerned. We are currently supporting research and communications aimed at rethinking the relationship between sexuality, rights and development and building stronger links between people in different contexts working to realize their sexual rights.
News
08 Mar 10 Women's Empowerment: a journey not a destination
On International Women’s Day, we call for much more attention to be paid to changing representations and narratives that portray women as victims to be rescued or heroines who will single-handedly uplift their countries and communities.
04 Jan 10 The Big Question for Development, IDS Podcast January 2010
The IDS monthly podcast asks whether a more positive approach to sexuality can help to promote well-being, safer sex and empower women.
21 Dec 09 Why Talk About Pleasure?
If we only talk about violence we reinforce stereotypes of women as passive and powerless victims. We also need to explore pleasure, well-being and the positive sides of sexuality.
On International Women’s Day, we call for much more attention to be paid to changing representations and narratives that portray women as victims to be rescued or heroines who will single-handedly uplift their countries and communities.
The IDS monthly podcast asks whether a more positive approach to sexuality can help to promote well-being, safer sex and empower women.
If we only talk about violence we reinforce stereotypes of women as passive and powerless victims. We also need to explore pleasure, well-being and the positive sides of sexuality.
Latest publications on Sexuality and Development
- Lind, A. and Bergeron, S. (forthcoming) Development, Sexual Rights and Global Governance: Resisting Global Power, Routledge
- Jolly, S. (forthcoming) 'Why the development industry should get over its obsession with bad sex and start to think about pleasure' in Lind, A. and Bergeron, S. (eds), Development, Sexual Rights and Global Governance: Resisting Global Power, Routledge
- Jolly, S. (2009) 'Sexuality and Poverty: What have they got to do with each other?' in Izugbara, C., Undie, C.C. and Wanjiku Khamasi, J. (eds), Old Wineskins, New Wine: Readings in Sexuality in sub-Saharan Africa, New York : Nova Science Publishers
- Izugbara, C., Undie, C.C. and Wanjiku Khamasi, J. (2009) Old Wineskins, New Wine: Readings in Sexuality in sub-Saharan Africa, New York: Nova Science Publishers
- Lynch, A (2009) 'Sexuality and the Development Industry Workshop Report' , Institute of Development Studies
- Harcourt, W., Cornwall, A., and Jolly, S. (2009) 'Sexuality and Development', Development 52.1, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
- Cornwall, A. and Jolly, S. (2009) 'Sexuality Matters (French Version)', IDS Bulletin 37.5, IDS
Sexuality and Development projects at IDS
- Pathways of Women's Empowerment Research Programme Consortium - International research and communications programme finding out what works to enhance women’s empowerment (Ongoing)
- Realising Rights Research Programme Consortium - (Ongoing)
- Sexuality and Development Programme - Supporting the realisation of sexual rights and access to basic services for those facing poverty and injustice (Ongoing)
Related Resources
IDS People working on Sexuality and Development
Siyanda - gender, sexuality and development website
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Key Issue Guide on Eldis
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