Pleasure Matters: Shining a light on pleasure as a core element of SRHR Mahmoud Garga, Lead Specialist – Strategic Communication, Media Relations and Digital Campaigning Speaks to the Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters Journal on Pleasure and the Treasure Your Pleasure Campaign Listen here now!  

On 15 March 2022, IPPF Africa Region launched the Treasure Your Pleasure digital campaign across Sub-Saharan Africa. The campaign, in English, French and Portuguese aims to create a safe space for youth in Africa to talk about sex freely, reducing shame through bold communication that resonates with them and grabs their attention while also advocating for safe sex and the importance of pleasure. The framing and messaging of this campaign aims to reorient the dominant narrative of sex education from fear of sexually transmitted diseases, medical interventions, unwanted pregnancies, and death, towards a more sex-positive narrative embracing all types of pleasure, gender expressions and identities. Through our Manifesto, we’re re-writing the story on sex and pleasure across the continent, and we’re taking you on the ride because doing it right really IS a FLEX. The campaign messaging focuses on empowering audiences to think and discuss sexual pleasure regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disabilities, and experiences. The messages are always sex-positive and rights based, include links to additional useful resources on the variety of pleasure-based approaches. This way, we engage with our audiences through co-creation, educate and empower them to speak and take control of their reproductive and sexual health and rights. Incorporating sexual pleasure within SRHR messaging and communication can improve sexual health outcomes. Shifting the narrative towards a sex-positive approach leads to better understanding of oneself and others and helps improve public perceptions around sex and comprehensive sexual education. Through this digital campaign, and what we share on lessons, we are hoping that other SRHR organisations would also focus on the benefits of including a pleasure-based approach to sexual reproductive health and rights. Visit our campaign landing page to learn how you can Treasure Your Pleasure: www.treasure-your-pleasure.com We’ve got fun interactive features and informative content to bring your sex game to a new level!  Other resources: Press release: IPPF endorses pleasure-inclusive sexual health via the Pleasure Principles Podcast: IPPFAR Communication talks about pleasure! Influencer content: African influencers

Nem tudo o que ouvimos sobre sexo é verdade. É hora de transformar este tabu em algo de se fazer da melhor maneira possível. Visite a nossa campanha " Faça Valer O Seu Prazer ". Estás pronto para sexplorar? Visite: https://treasure-your-pleasure.com/pt/ #FaçaValerOSeuPrazer

Tout ce que l'on entend sur le sexe n'est pas toujours vrai. Il est temps de passer du tabou au « waouw ! », de la meilleure des façons. Visitez notre campagne « Ton Plaisir, Ton Trésor ». Êtes-vous prêt.e à plonger dans l’univers du plaisir ? Visitez: https://treasure-your-pleasure.com/fr/ #TonPlaisirTonTrésor  

While simple, there’s more to consent than meets the eye. Get familiar with the basics and watch your sex game go from good to mutually great. 

Sex feels different to different bodies, and depending on the mood and more, the feeling can change with every experience. One thing though, it shouldn’t leave you feeling bad. Here are some ways people have described their moments of pleasure. We would like to hear your hot take - what does sex feel like to you?