Reproductive Health: Sexuality, Fertility and Desire  MOAD02
Organiser:
Type:
Oral Abstract Session Back
Venue: SR 8 (450)
Interpretation: None
Time: 14:30 - 16:00, 04.08.2008
Code: MOAD02
Co-Chairs: Dawn Averitt Bridge, United States
Lydia Mungherera, Uganda




Presentations in this session:

14:30
MOAD0201		Introduction to the topic
Dawn Averitt Bridge, United States


14:35
MOAD0202
Abstract
Powerpoint (246 KB)		'Women's bodies are shops'- Beliefs about transactional sex and implications for understanding gender power and HIV prevention in Tanzania
Presented by Joyce Wamoyi, United Kingdom
J. Wamoyi1, W. Stones2, A. Fenwick3
1University of Southampton/ Tanzania National Institute for Medical Research, Social Science, Southampton, United Kingdom, 2University of Southampton, School of Medicine, Southampton, United Kingdom, 3University of Southampton, School of Medicine, Soutahmpton, United Kingdom


14:50
MOAD0203
Abstract
Powerpoint (516 KB)		Girls enjoy sex too´. Pleasure as a factor in sexual decision-making among female students at a Zimbabwean university
Presented by Tsitsi Beatrice Masvawure, South Africa
T.B. Masvawure
University of Pretoria, Anthrpology and Archaeology, Pretoria, South Africa


15:05
MOAD0204
Abstract
Powerpoint (772 KB)		Toward improved reproductive health choices and health care delivery for HIV-infected men and women in developing countries with generalised HIV epidemics
Presented by Joanne Ellen Mantell, United States
J.E. Mantell1, D. Cooper2, J. Moodley2, C. Morroni2, L. Myer3, T.M. Exner1, T. Taylor4, V. Zweigenthal5, S. Hoffman1, K. Cloete5, K. Jennings6, Z.A. Stein1
1HIV Center for Clinical & Behavioral Studies/Columbia University, Psychiatry, New York, United States, 2University of Cape Town School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Women's Health Research Unit, Cape Town, South Africa, 3University of Cape Town School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Unit, Cape Town, South Africa, 4HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University, Psychiatry, New York, United States, 5Western Cape Department of Health, Cape Town, South Africa, 6City of Cape Town Department of Health, Cape Town, South Africa


15:20
MOAD0205
Abstract
Powerpoint (404 KB)		Promoting sexual health and women's empowerment through pleasure: a literature review
Presented by Wendy Knerr, United Kingdom
W. Knerr1, A. Philpott2, J. McEachran3
1The Pleasure Project, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2The Pleasure Project, New Delhi, India, 3The Pleasure Project, Melbourne, Australia


15:35
MOAD0206
Abstract
Powerpoint (381 KB)		Fertility desires and intentions among women living with HIV
Presented by Sarah Finocchario Kessler, United States
S. Finocchario Kessler1, J. Keller2, M. Sweat1, J. Dariotis3, M. Trent4, J. Anderson5
1Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, International Health, Baltimore, United States, 2Johns Hopkins HIV Women's Health Program, Gynecology, Baltimore, United States, 3Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Population, Family & Reproductive Health, Baltimore, United States, 4Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Baltimore, United States, 5Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Gynecology & Obstetrics, Baltimore, United States


Rapporteur reports

Community report by Jane Galvao
‘Women’s bodies are shops’: believes about transactional sex and implications for understanding gender power and HIV prevention. Discussion of transactional sex in Tanzania, study conducted in 2007: explore unmarried young people’s motivation for transactional sex in rural Tanzania and presents an interesting discussion of how the demand for sex or other material support are not seen as sex work and it is seen by men and women as a way of women to show their power. But at the same time it is linked to increased risk of HIV infection: encourages change of partners; older sexual partners etc. Importance of interventions for young people to incorporate safer sex. Girls enjoy sex too: pleasure as a factor in sexual decision-making for female university students . The study was conducted in Zimbabwe Young unmarried African women become active lust seekers and has sexual pleasure as its core One point mentioned in the study is that sexuality of young unmarried African women is not always sexually subordinate One conclusion is that we need to listen more to women’s narrative of pleasure, paying attention for the narratives of pleasure Toward improved reproductive health choices for HIV+ men and women in developing countries Addressing the SRH needs of HIV+ women and men is urgent Need of guidelines to help HIV+ positive men and women to make their decisions Promoting sexual health and rights through pleasure: a literature review Pleasure project started in 2004 in IndiaWhere is the pleasure in safe sex? We are living a “prevention fatigue”: new approaches needed Is there evidence that erotic elements can increase safer sex? Yes, but extremely limited in terms of context and cultures How do gender and culture affect safer sex and pleasure? “Just telling people to use condoms is like telling someone to use a saddle to hide a horse – there is a lot more to both safer sex and horse hiding” We need new and more creative modes for delivering information about safer sex. “We need to know what turns people on ----

Track D report by Ximena Salazar
•    The terms of power relations in sexual relationships among men and women are changing.
•    Women are not only victims; they can show autonomy in the pursuit of sexual pleasure.
•    There is now a paradox between women’s power and powerlessness in different sexual situations
•    Young women, for example, are learning to enjoy their sexuality and clearly they are sexual subjects
•    There is a need to look at female sexuality not only in contexts of danger, but also in contexts of pleasure, because they are capable to know and show what is pleasant for them
•    There is a need to promote protection taking into account pleasure and eroticism
•    In this perspective, there are four important elements to take into account: gender, practices, contexts and new research in sexuality.




Leadership report by Nithya Krishnan
This session tackled the links between sexulity, fertility, desire and reproductive health in the realm of HIV/AIDS and MTCT.

J. Wamoyi discussed transactional sex and its implications for understanding gender power. She conducted interviews in which she gathered that women view sex without a transaction as demeaning, stupid and reflects prostitute like behavior. The fact that women are able to demand pay for sexual encounters gives them power. Yet transactional sex is linked to the increased spreading of HIV/AIDS and the unequal power balance between men and women creates uneven power relationship which makes it difficult to negotiate for condom use. Although transactional sex is easily linked to poverty, there are other underlying factors that make it thrive despite the known risks such as the feeling of autonomy on the part of the women to exploit their sexuality; one of the rare opportunities where women feel powerful to face men. She did not present quantitative data to support these contentions.

Tsitsi Masvawure investigated pleasure as a factor in sexual decision making among Zimbabwean university students. She conducted many interviews with people from which she gleaned that pleasure was a significant driving force in sexual relations among young people. Sometimes, these relations were so fervent that couples overlooked or intentionally planned sexual activity outside the use of condoms. As a result, some young women are thus at greatest risk of picking up HIV in contexts of pleasure rather than contexts of danger. She did not present quantitative data to support these contentions.

The study of improved reproductive health choices and health care delivery for HIV-infected men and women in developing countries with generalized HIV epidemics showed that more attention should be focused on the reproductive desire of men as well as women. In the Cape Town study conducted, among HIV-infected couples, men desired to have children more than women. The overarching theme was that guidelines are needed to help HIV positive men and women to make decisions about parenthood and that pregnancy should be discussed in a non-judgmental way.



Youth report by Annelies Mesman
There are many different contexts of female sexuality in Africa. These should be taken into account and be integrated in HIV prevention programs.  Poverty or violence issues are only one side of the story:

Joya Wamoyi, J.E. Mantell and Tsitsi Beatrice Masvawure give examples of realities of young Sub-Saharan African women:

•    Transactional sex (not professional sex workers) is regarded positive by women, both by mothers and daughters.  It gives women power and is useful. Sex without exchange is regarded as prostitution. Gender power has a large role here.
•    Female university students:  create space for themselves to become active lust seekers at the campus or as call girls. Pleasure is their motivation to have multiple partners.
•    The fertility desires of HIV+ women and men are important factors of reproductive health. This should be researched further, as the options of adoption, semen washing amongst other options.


   

   

    The organizers reserve the right to amend the programme.
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