Conversations surrounding sex, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), and sexual pleasure often remain confined to hushed tones, deemed taboo in our society. Despite efforts to normalize conversations about sex and sexuality, sex remains a taboo topic in many societies, limiting the scope of open conversations. This silence perpetuates misconceptions, hinders informed choices, and contributes to the stigma surrounding sexual health discussions.
Access to accurate information about SRHR is more important than ever. Age-appropriate sex conversations should be promoted to ensure that people in all their diversity have access to the right information to make informed choices. One question you might ask yourself is, How can we create safe spaces for people to have candid conversations about sex, sexual and reproductive health rights, and sexual health?
In Youth Changers Kenya’s quest to promote access to SRHR information and services, we are always working to innovate and find fun ways to disseminate accurate SRHR information. During our SRHR activities at the USIU Africa and Pleasure Festival, we asked the young people present to suggest ways YCK can make the SRHR space more fun, engaging, and resourceful. It was during these events that the idea of card games was born. Following that, YCK developed a survey and distributed it to 47 young people ages 18–30 to determine the type of games, relevance, and preferred SRHR content, to which 69% of the young people responded, out of which 44.8% preferred card games. This finding and feedback informed the game’s development.
The YCK staff were then trained on design thinking principles, strategically focusing on their importance in game development. Following this, the curation of the games began. It took the team 6 months to curate the games based on the findings, and young people’s feedback from the pretests that were done with 85 people from 5+ counties, namely Nairobi, Busia, Kakamega, Kiambu, and Kisii counties, among others.
All this culminated in the launch of 10 games that are tailor-made for fun as well as a resource on matters of sexual reproductive health and rights, mental health, sexual and gender-based violence, and sexual pleasure. It’s been an exciting experience seeing all this come together with the support of everyone who took part in the process. It was during the launch that everyone ascertained that, indeed, conversations around SRHR can be both fun and educational.
Markel*, not her real name, noted, ”The card games are really fun, and I like that it creates room to have open conversations about sex and sexuality.” Nada*, not her real name, noted, ”The card games create a safe space for people to share, learn, and open up about their experiences and learn from other people’s experiences.”
At YCK, we were thrilled that the card games did offer the purpose they were indeed for, and individuals did vouch for them, as many said that they would recommend them.
Access to accurate SRHR information is key to ensuring that everyone, in all their diversity, can make informed choices and fulfill their highest potential. We call on you to join us in making SRHR information realized. You can do so by purchasing the game and playing it in your community. Make your pre-orders today through info@youthchangerskenya.org or our online store
YCK’s innovative approach to SRHR conversations exemplifies the power of breaking taboos and creating safe spaces for open discussions. The card games provide a unique avenue for individuals to share, learn, and open up about their experiences, ultimately contributing to a more informed and empowered society.