Sexualities, Rights and Wellbeing

FACULTY

Distinguished sexuality professionals drawn from across Africa, serve on the fellowship’s faculty. They provide technical assistance and mentor the fellows; especially in the development and design of their post-fellowship projects. The mentoring is designed to continue even when fellows return to their countries until they complete their post-fellowship projects. Below is a profile of some of the SLDF faculty.

Adenike Esiet is Executive Director and co-founder of Action Health Incorporated (AHI), one of Nigeria's pioneering sexual and reproductive health-focused non-governmental organisation. Since 1989, she has contributed to building AHI from an idea into a vibrant organization that combines community based-programming with national policy advocacy on sexuality. As one of Nigeria's leading experts in adolescent sexuality education and service provision, she has consulted for national and international organizations including the Commonwealth Medical Association, UNICEF, UNFPA and WHO. From 1995 to 1998 she served on the Technical Advisory Committee (IEC) of Nigeria's National AIDS and STD Control Programme. Currently, Adenike has oversight responsibilities for the ARSRC and is a member of the University of Columbia-based International Working Group and Sexuality and Social Policy. She will facilitate the sessions, "Defining Sex and Sexuality: Conceptual and Theoretical Issues", "Understanding Self: Personal skills Map", and "Power Speaking: Presentation Skills to Make A Difference".

Ahmed Ragab is a reproductive health consultant and assistant professor in applied reproductive health research at the international Islamic Centre for Population Studies and Research, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt. He has a wealth of experience having worked in several African countries including Somalia and Sudan in the areas of HIV/AIDS/STIs and issues of violence against women. He will facilitate the sessions, "Cultural Practice and Sexual Violence"; and "Sexuality and HIV/AIDS in Islamic Context".

Ayo Atsenuwa holds two Masters of Law degrees - LL.M Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of London, and LL.M Law in Development from the University of Warwick. She has over fifteen years of experience in the area of human rights advocacy and community development and is the executive director of Legal Research and Resource Development Centre- a human rights non-govermental organization in Nigeria. She has authored numerous publications on gender, human rights, law and development, incluing Feminist Jurisprudence - An Introduction. Atsenuwa will facilitate the session, "Sexuality and Human Rights".

Dorothy Aken'Ova, a linguist by profession, is a feminist and a sexual rights activist. She founded and heads the International Centre for Reproductive Health and Sexual rights (INCRESE) - an NGO that works for a favourable environment and expands access to sexual reproductive rights and health information and services. Dorothy has conducted research on homosexuality in Nigeria, and on transvestism. She has also done some research work in the area of sexual pleasure in women. She has also been involved in international-level advocacy and lobbying. She will facilitate "Female Sexual Orientation and Identity Panel".

Olusegun Sangowawa is Programme Officer, Information Services in the Africa Regional Sexuality Resource Centre (ARSRC). He holds a Bachelor's degree in Geography. Before joining the ARSRC, he was a consultant with WHO contributing to research and knowledge management on Patient Safety. Sangowawa is responsible for information gathering and dissemination on sexuality, sexual health and rights in the ARSRC. He will facilitate the session- "Sexuality Resources on the World-Wide-Web: Getting the Internet to Work for You"

Richmond Tiemoko, a Statistician-Demographer, holds a PhD in Development Studies from the Institute of Social Studies, The Hague (Netherlands). He has worked widely on development issues in the area of reproduction, family dynamic, children's well being, health and migration in Africa. Tiemoko has over ten years teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate and professional levels. He contributed to the teaching of 'Research Methods and Methodology' and 'Sampling for Survey' at the University of Sussex, 'Gender Planning for Human Development' and 'Analysis of Social Structure' at the Institute of Social Studies (The Hague) and 'Statistics' and 'Demography' at IFORD (Yaounde). He will facilitate the session titled "Introduction to Methods and Issues in sexuality Research" and co-facilitate the session "HIV/AIDS, Religion and the Politics of Sexuality." 

Uwemedimo Uko Esiet graduated from the University of Nigeria Medical School in 1983. He practiced general medicine actively from then till about 2000. During this period, he had served the Nigerian Society for Handicapped Children, and the Kaduna State Health Management Board as a Medical Officer before venturing into private medical practice. Over the years he has become involved in promoting access of women and young people to sexual and reproductive health information and services. He co-founded Action Health Incorporated (AHI) in 1989 with his wife Nike. He presently serves on the Council of the World Association for Sexology as the Regional Secretary for Africa and he is the Convener of the African Federation for Sexual Health and Rights. He has participated in various international conferences and consultations on sexual health and rights. He facilitated the Session “ Crisis and Controversies in Sexuality Today”.