Footsteps 69

SEXUAL HEALTH

Photo: Marcus Perkins

Often people find it difficult to talk about sexual issues. It can be embarrassing and in many places it is culturally taboo. God created sex as a good gift for men and women to enjoy. Yet harmful attitudes and lack of information about sexual issues contribute to so much suffering and death across the world, including the spread of HIV. We cannot afford to stay silent. I hope this Footsteps will help open up discussion of this vital topic.

Sexual health is not just about physical health, it involves social, spiritual, cultural, legal, medical and psychological issues. These include sexual desire, human rights, gender equality, and reducing stigma and sexual violence.

Please find below articles from Footsteps issue 69 in html.

To download a pdf version of Footsteps issue 69, please click here (460KB)

Bible study by Dr Jorge Patpatian. Read Genesis 1:27-2:25. Sex is often a taboo subject, surrounded by silence and denial. As Christians we should ask ourselves: ‘What is God’s plan for human sexuality?’ The Bible is not silent on the topic of sex, but rath... More >>

Breaking taboos by Pastor Kouliga Michel Nikiema. Vigilance is a Christian organisation working in Burkina Faso. Breaking the taboo around discussing sexual health is a challenge we would like to bring into the heart of the church. Talking openly about sexual iss... More >>

Challenging female genital mutilation by Etienne Kiemdé. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a traditional practice in Burkina Faso and many other countries. It is sometimes called female genital cutting, female circumcision, or excision (Footsteps 24). It means cutting off part or all... More >>

Church-based approaches to HIV prevention by Rev Dr David Evans. There are now over 40 million people living with HIV worldwide. In 2005, another 4.1 million people became infected and 2.8 million died of AIDS-related illnesses. A key challenge for the church today is to find a biblical ... More >>

Re-training nurses to provide healthcare for women by Dr Ann Thyle. In India, more women die of complications during pregnancy and childbirth than from any other cause. Nearly all these deaths are preventable. Many health problems during pregnancy are not recognised or treated because of poor acce... More >>

Discussing condoms The issue of condom use can be controversial and difficult to discuss. Condoms are often wrongly associated only with promiscuity or sex work, so using condoms carries stigma. Christians should value life and reflect God’s love and care for all peopl... More >>

Editorial Often people find it difficult to talk about sexual issues. It can be embarrassing and in many places it is culturally taboo. God created sex as a good gift for men and women to enjoy. Yet harmful attitudes and lack of information about sexual issues... More >>

Human trafficking by Graeme Hodge. Human trafficking is the illegal trade in human life that enslaves over two million people every year. Half of these are children. In China, as in many other countries, many women and girls are transported abroad by traffickers an... More >>

Letters Moringa I want to tell you about moringa, a wonderful tree I came across in Tanzania. It is an injustice that many people don’t know about the gift from God growing in their home areas! Moringa is a droughtresistant plant and so nutritious that it ... More >>

Resources Compassionate Community Work by Dave Andrews. This is an easy-to-use introductory course book on Christian community development work. It is designed for training community workers, church leaders, teachers and students, and can be used as a group ... More >>

Saving lives by Revd Ayano Chule Deyabo. In some countries in sub-Saharan Africa, one out of ten adults is already living with HIV. This means that in most churches in these countries, there will be some people who have the virus. This is not just a problem ... More >>

Self-esteem by Phil Hoyle. Oasis Esteem is a Christian sex and relationships education programme run throughout the UK by the charity Oasis Trust. Oasis Esteem provides resources and training for volunteers to go into secondary schools and youth work settings... More >>

Sexuality: a Christian perspective by Dr Apolos Landa. Sexuality is an important subject for Christians today. It can no longer be left as something that we don’t talk about and only deal with in private. We must face up to the results of sexual behaviour that we can see in our soc... More >>

Sexually transmitted infections Diseases and infections are passed on in different ways. Many, such as colds, influenza or tuberculosis, are passed to other people through the air when infected people sneeze or cough. Some, such as malaria, are passed on to others by mosquitoes. Se... More >>

Talking with young people by Isabel Carter. Young people need a ‘safe’ place to discuss challenging issues. Sometimes they ask teachers or parents. Usually they simply talk to each other, which often spreads wrong information and rumours. The church needs youth leaders w... More >>

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