Sexual Health ‘N Friends
Yesterday was crazy. It started with banter...talked till half of the day was gone(which was unusual for me). Then I told my girl that I wanted to go for a program, called "Naked Conversations", organised by a health forum on campus. The truth is I’ve always had a soft spot for any issues on health...talk about my priority list radar- from mental health to sex awareness to sexual abuse and more. My passion for these things definitely knows no bounds. So, nothing was going to stop me from going for it— not even our banter...lol.
We literally took a bus, and my girl started contemplating on going with me because she wanted to go for another program about Human Rights. Before we knew it, we looked like two confused little fellas, because she had to choose what program she would go for, while the bus driver was waiting impatiently.
She finally decided on following me to the health program, and I could swear that we didn’t regret it. It was so awesome. And it was pretty exciting for me because, in my part of the world, the issues that were being raised in this program are usually not the type people like to talk about at all. These issues always get suppressed. It’s like nobody would rather be aware of anything. And I would wonder. How could you be satisfied with ignorance when people are suffering because of it?
There were so many things we learnt, and there were a few things I realised I was ignorant about. One of the things that caught my attention was when the speaker said: "People are way too concerned about their body flaws. Having good sex is not about having enlarged body parts. It's about technique and communication."
When the speaker said that, I was so calm. I mean I’ve always preached about self-love and self-esteem, and I do whatever I can to make sure I practice what I preach with myself and with people around me. But, seeing someone else just voice out the same opinion, the same principles I hold very dearly to my heart was just...refreshing.
I learnt a lot of things while at the program, which I really cannot break down. That would be me giving too much information. But, you see, the main thing I came to a decision about is that people need to know about these things. People need to know about family planning, about safe and consensual sex, about embracing their body flaws and about staying safe in general, among other things. Nobody is too young to be aware of anything.
Psychology makes us know that the more you are chastised for something, the more you get drawn towards it. If a child asks you why they can’t have chocolate, and you tell them to keep quiet, they may keep quiet, but it won’t stop them from probably sneaking to have one. However, if you explain to that child why they can’t have it at that moment or you show the child what it’s like to have it, they won’t see the need to rebel. If people are asking questions about sexually related health issues, let them have the answers they need, so they won’t get it in the wrong places or from the wrong people.
When the program came to an end, my friend and I left, grateful that we took it upon ourselves to go. And because I was there...with her...at the right place, at the right time, she saved my ass from something really nasty. You know what I learnt today? Sexual health is probably way underrated than even mental health can ever be, and friends are important. Stay without friends and you’ll regret it. I learnt two lessons in one day. I feel so blessed and at peace with myself right until this moment.
