Sexual health knowledge should flow both ways

Global sexual health policy has long been shaped by a largely one-directional flow of knowledge, from the Global North to the Global South. Access to contraception, abortion, maternal health care, HIV prevention and treatment, comprehensive sexuality education, gender equity and protection from sexual violence all fall within this conversation.

The argument highlighted in this story is that communal knowledge about pleasure and well-being should be part of the picture. For professionals in public health, policy, research and health communications, this points to a practical question: whose expertise informs the programs we design and fund, and whose experience is consulted when they are evaluated?

Inclusive knowledge exchange can make interventions more relevant, more trusted and more sustainable. It also opens career paths for local researchers and practitioners who understand their communities best.