On Thursday March 7, the Teabox Lounge in South Hill came alive with laughter and tears as a cross section of women gathered to discuss a topic that they all had in common: A woman and her sexuality. The forum, entitled “Woman to Woman”, was coordinated by the National Chronic Disease Unit, which has responsibility for sexual and reproductive health programming, in partnership with the Gender Affairs Unit under the 2019 Women Week’s slated activities.
The sole purpose of the forum, Woman to Woman, was to provide a platform where sensitive common issues relating to female sexuality could be discussed without judgement in a supportive and safe environment.
Through dramatic presentations, by the cast of the Vagina Monologues (Senoj Creations), and games such as Sexual Charades and Label My Parts, touchy topics such as my body after childbirth, infertility, masturbation, sexual abuse, sexual stereotyping and mental abuse were presented and then discussed by the audience. Obstetrician, Dr. Kareema Matthews; Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Olufunmike Banks-Devonish; and Director of Gender Affairs, Dr. Ronya Foy Connor, comprised the panelist who clarified misconceptions, expounded upon, and explained, factual content and provided appropriate references for the group.
Ms. Nisha Dupie and Ms. Glenneva Hodge, young enthusiast of unorthodox topics, ably hosted the three-hour forum discussion.
Director of the Chronic Disease Unit, Mrs. Twyla Bradshaw-Richardson, stated that is was refreshing to hear the candid discourse and the call for similar forums. She also stated that often times the conversations are turned off because they are too difficult, which reinforces a myriad of challenges that face us today. Therefore she hopes that this forum was the springboard for such conversations to be had and move away from the tendency to tune out such discourse. Certainly, Woman to Woman will be an annual event.
The National Chronic Disease Unit would like to acknowledge the assistance of Nurse Carol Bart-Elliott, Community Midwife; Ms. Rochelle Rogers, Health Planner; Ms. Glinda Vanterpool, UWI Intern, and Nurse Sherma Richardson for their assistance in coordinating the event.
