ICFP News & Insights

‘It’s always fear-based’: why sexual health projects should switch the focus to pleasure

Nov 22, 2022

After decades of emphasis on STIs, HIV, Aids and unwanted pregnancy, a wave of initiatives around the world are using a more sex-positive narrative

Originally posted by The Guardian

Swiry’s work was part of a wider campaign to introduce the concept of pleasure into sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa, run by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), one of the biggest providers of sex education globally.

Its digital campaign Treasure Your Pleasure was aimed at young adults and ran in three languages (French, Portuguese and English) from March to November over TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. It featured videos from influencers from all over Africa, Twitter chats, and pop art-style graphics with sex-positive messaging posted on its Instagram page.

The campaign reached 9 million people and added 40,000 new followers to IPPF Africa digital platforms. It drove 330,000 people to the campaign’s landing page on the IPPF website, which features a quiz, downloadable stickers for use on social media and evidence-based research. The IPPF regional office in Asia now hopes to run a similar campaign.

Explore More

ICFP 2025 Abstract Submissions Open 15 January

ICFP 2025 Abstract Submissions Open 15 January

World Religion Day Webinar: How Faith Leaders Can Communicate Evidence-based Family Planning Information

World Religion Day Webinar: How Faith Leaders Can Communicate Evidence-based Family Planning Information

Reflecting on Vibrant ICFP Community Conversations at the 8th Nigerian Family Planning Conference

Reflecting on Vibrant ICFP Community Conversations at the 8th Nigerian Family Planning Conference

Share How You Uplift Equity Through Action

Download these share graphics to let your networks know about your dedication to advancing Equity Through Action through your involvement in #ICFP2025!

Plus, share the news that the ICFP 2025 Call for Abstracts opens 15 January – 15 March 2025!

Share the News

Let your networks know about the historic ICFP 2025 happening in Latin America for the first time ever in Bogotá, Colombia on 3–6 November 2025!

Download All: Horizontal | Square