As women, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of sex and sexuality. Sexual health and wellness are crucial aspects of our overall well-being. Still, it can be challenging to navigate the subject in a society that tends to shy away from openly discussing sex.
If you’re a Nigerian woman looking to learn more about sex and sexuality, there are a few books you should add to your reading list. These books provide essential information on the subject and explore sexuality within the context of Nigerian and African culture.
- “Sex and Sexuality in Africa” by Toyin Falola and Ebenezer Obadare: This book broadly examines sex and sexuality in Africa, exploring both the historical and contemporary attitudes towards sex across the continent. The authors draw on a range of disciplines, including anthropology, history, and sociology, to provide a comprehensive overview of the topic.
- “Our Bodies, Ourselves” by Boston Women’s Health Book Collective: This classic feminist text provides essential information on reproductive health, sexuality, and relationships. The book covers birth control, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and sexual health. While it was not written specifically for African women, the book offers valuable insights into sexual health that are relevant to women worldwide.
- “Sexuality, Gender, and Power: Intersectional and Transnational Perspectives” edited by Adeline Koh and Roopika Risam: This collection of essays explores the intersection of sexuality, gender, and power, drawing on a range of perspectives to examine how these factors intersect with race, class, and nationality. The book offers an insightful exploration of sexuality within the context of globalization and the impact of colonialism on African sexuality.
- “Female Sexual Anatomy and Physiology” by Dr. Sharon Perkins: This book explores female anatomy and physiology, focusing specifically on sexual health and function. The book covers sexual response, sexual dysfunction, and sexual health problems, providing a valuable resource for any woman looking to gain a deeper understanding of her body and sexual health.
- “The Sexually Confident Wife: Connect With Your Husband in Mind, Heart, Body, Spirit” by Shannon Ethridge: This book offers practical advice for women who want to enhance their sexual relationships with their partners. The book covers topics such as communication, intimacy, and sexual pleasure, providing valuable insights into connecting with your partner on a deeper level.
- “African Sexualities: A Reader”, edited by Sylvia Tamale: This book offers a collection of essays, stories, and poetry exploring African sexuality from various perspectives. The book draws on a variety of African cultures and experiences to provide a diverse and nuanced exploration of sexuality on the continent.
- “The Vagina Monologues” by Eve Ensler: This play, which has been performed around the world, features a series of monologues exploring female sexuality and experiences. The play covers topics such as menstruation, childbirth, and sexual pleasure, providing a valuable exploration of the complexities of female sexuality.
- “Understanding Sexual Identity: A Resource for Youth Serving Organizations” by Advocates for Youth: This resource offers valuable information and resources for young people exploring their sexual identities. The book covers topics such as sexual orientation, gender identity, and coming out, providing valuable insights on sexual identity and orientation that are relevant to all women.
- “The Sex Lives of African Women” by Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah: This collection of essays, poetry, and art offers a nuanced and diverse exploration of African women’s sexuality. The book draws on various African cultures and experiences to comprehensively and authentically represent African women’s sexual lives.
- “Love, Sex, and Everything In Between” by Dr. Oyinkansola Alabi: This book offers a lighthearted and informative exploration of love, sex, and relationships. Dr. Alabi, a Nigerian sex therapist, provides practical advice and insights on self-love, communication, and sexual health. This book is a valuable resource for any woman looking to enhance her sexual and emotional well-being.
- “What Would the Spice Girls Do? How the Girl Power Generation Grew Up” by Lauren Bravo: This humorous and nostalgic book explores the impact of the Spice Girls on a generation of women who grew up in the 90s. While not specifically about sex and sexuality, the book offers valuable insights into the cultural attitudes towards women’s bodies and sexuality during this time, making it a fun and enlightening read.
- “Sensuous Knowledge: A Black Feminist Approach for Everyone” by Minna Salami: This book offers a Black feminist approach to understanding the world and our place in it. The book covers topics such as race, gender, sexuality, and power, providing a valuable perspective on how these intersecting factors shape our experiences of the world around us.
- “The Clitoral Truth: The Secret World at Your Fingertips” by Rebecca Chalker: This book comprehensively explores the clitoris, a much-misunderstood part of the female anatomy. The book covers anatomy, sexual response, and cultural attitudes towards the clitoris, providing a valuable resource for any woman looking to gain a deeper understanding of her body and sexual pleasure.
Exploring sex and sexuality can be daunting for many women, especially in a society that often stigmatizes and shames these topics. However, it’s important to remember that having a healthy understanding of our bodies and sexual desires is essential for our overall well-being. We must embrace the fact that sex is a natural and critical part of human life.
By reading these books, you can better understand your body, sexual health, and relationships. These books offer valuable insights into African and Nigerian culture, exploring the complex intersection of gender, race, and sexuality. Additionally, they show that discussing sex and sexuality doesn’t have to be a heavy or serious topic but can also be entertaining and informative.
As women, we should not feel ashamed to explore our sexuality and seek information to enhance our sexual and emotional well-being. By reading these books, we can start to break down the stigma and shame surrounding sex and begin to have more open and honest conversations about our bodies and desires.
Remember, knowledge is power, and by arming ourselves with accurate information and understanding, we can confidently navigate our sexual lives and relationships. So, let’s embrace our sexuality, break down the barriers of shame, and start exploring the rich and complex world of sex and sexuality in a healthy and fulfilling way.
