This book examines sex, sexuality, gender and health in the Pacific with a focus on three key sets of issues: young people, culture and education; sexual and reproductive health and well-being; and belonging, connectedness and justice.
Bringing together the work of scholars from across the Pacific region, this innovative volume showcases traditional knowledge and diverse disciplinary scholarship of policy and practice relevance. In addition to focusing on relationships, health, education, family and community, chapters engage with a number of cross-cutting themes, including violence, justice and rights, and sexuality and gender diversity. Drawing on the diversity and richness of the Pacific, its cultures, languages and people, the book lays the foundations for future conversations and scholarship for, and by, those within the Pacific.
Sex and Gender in the Pacific is an important resource for students, researchers and practitioners working in Pacific studies, sexuality and gender studies, public health, nursing, public policy, sociology, education and anthropology.
Author(s): Angela Kelly-Hanku, Peter Aggleton, Anne Malcolm
Series: Sexuality, Culture and Health
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 232
City: London
Cover
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
Figures
Table
Boxes
Contributors
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction: Pacific values, practices and insights into sexuality, gender and health
Pacific Scholarship and prioritising Pacific ways, views and scholars
Book overview
Young people, culture and education
Sexual and reproductive health and well-being
Belonging, connectedness and justice
Notes
References
Part I: Young people, culture and education
2. Pacific youth-led sex-positive responses and gender equity advocacy in Fiji
Young people - The problem or a resource?
Efforts to address gender-based violence
The need for sex-positive education and counselling
Youth-led digital initiatives - For youth, by youth
Conclusion
Note
References
3. Weaving policy, theory and practice: Relationships and sexuality education and Pacific young people in Aotearoa-New Zealand
Introduction
Policy-making
Pacific concepts in (health) policy
Engaging Pacific concepts requires both content and process
Pacific theories, values and contexts in policy
The intersection of policy and practice: Working with schools
Engaging the vā/va and gender inclusion
Initial Talanoa sessions
Navig8 programme
Conclusion: Policy and practice for Pacific relationships and sexuality education
Notes
References
4. Inangaro | Desire: The 'writing in' of māpū |young Cook Islanders' sexual and relationship desires into resources for sexuality and relationships education
Introduction
The Kuki Airani: Context
Tuatua 'Akamat'anga | Introducing the research project
Sexuality approaches in the Pacific
Akaruru | Data generation
Akatomo'anga | Findings
Fresh ways to (re)consider sexuality and relationships education in the Pacific
About the sexuality and relationships educational resource
Notes
References
5. A Positive Youth Development approach to addressing sexual and gender diversity with Pasifika young people in Australia
Introduction
Exploring and embracing diverse sexualities and gender identities
Promoting diversity through Positive Youth Development
Positive Youth Development and its prosocial impacts
Promoting Positive Youth Development with Pasifika young people
Healthy relationships talanoa: Understanding the role of sexuality and gender with Pasifika youth
Healthy Relationship Talanoa (HRT) programme overview
Reflecting a Positive Youth Development framework
Concluding thoughts
References
Part II: Sexual and reproductive health and well-being
6. Sexual and reproductive health needs, challenges and opportunities in the Pacific
Introduction
Sociocultural determinants of sexual and reproductive health
Contraception, unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion
Maternal health and well-being
Sexually transmitted infections and cervical cancer
Conclusion
References
7. Grassroots action for improved menstrual health and educational justice with girls in East Kwaio, Solomon Islands
Menstruation in East Kwaio
Kwaio girls are not alone
Water, sanitation and hygiene in schools in East Kwaio
Kwaio women leading change
The girls at the heart of our work
Component one: development and distribution of locally-made pads
Component two: education programme
What the girls told us
What girls called menstruation
How girls experienced and managed menstruation
Girls' feedback about the pads
A systems approach to menstrual hygiene in East Kwaio
Where to next?
Notes
References
8. From burdens to blessings: A Pacific perspective on infertility and assisted reproductive technologies in Aotearoa | New Zealand
Introduction
Fertility care
Method
Findings
Family expectations - Malu
Spiritual influence - Mati
Cultural influence - Mosi
Fertility treatment services - Moana
Discussion
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References
9. Socio-structural influences on young men's experiences of sex, pregnancy and pregnancy prevention in Papua New Guinea
Introduction
Methods
Socio-structural influences
Limited interactions with health workers
Limited sexual education and support from adults
Becoming ready for marriage and parenthood, and avoiding pre-marital pregnancy
Consequences of becoming pregnant too soon
Constrained sexual agency
Young men's hidden sexual experiences
Pregnancy prevention strategies
Concluding thoughts
Notes
References
10. Fofola e fala ka e talanoa e kāinga (roll out the mat so that the family can talk): Unplanned pregnancy and support for young women and girls in Tonga
Introduction
Unplanned pregnancy among young women and girls in the Pacific
Tonga: social norms in a modern-day Polynesian kingdom
Adolescent unplanned pregnancy study
Findings: young women's experiences of unplanned pregnancy
Knowledge and access to contraceptives
Reactions to unplanned pregnancies: surprise, fear and denial
Family and community attitudes towards the pregnancy
Discussion: talanoa (discussion) of the taboo?
Conclusion
Notes
References
Part III: Belonging, connectedness and justice
11. Moana masculinities in the diaspora: Cultural identity and performance on the dance stage and the sports field
Introduction
Men (and masculinity) of the moana - theoretical framework
Takalo and Polyfest - what it means to be a man
Working with masculinities - cultural empowerment for men through performance and language?
Masculine intersections at play - on and off the field
Working with masculinities - cultural empowerment for men through sport
Conclusion
Notes
References
12. Making meaning out of objects: Self, connectedness and belonging among sexuality diverse men and transgender women in Papua New Guinea
Introduction
Gender, sexuality and material culture
Object biographies
Booklet: 'I always put my faith in this book. It looks at our rights'
Conch shell necklace: 'It's a sign of strength and courage'
Photograph of friend: 'I have nothing that is important, apart from my living objects that are my friends'
Bras: 'A bra is important to me because I don't have breasts'
Concluding remarks
Note
References
13. Localising human rights for men of diverse sexuality, transgender women and people living with HIV in Papua New Guinea
Notions of sexuality and gender are shaped by time and space
Human rights frameworks that make sense in Papua New Guinea
People living with HIV have their own stories
Notes
References
14. Family and gender violence in Chuuk, Micronesia
Introduction
Family, gender and society in Chuuk State
Mobility between urban and rural settings
Consequences of mobility: 'Inside' experiences of family and community in the homeland
Conclusion
Notes
References
15. Gender inequality and Pacific-led solutions for a global problem
Introduction
Women and political leadership
Violence against women and girls: what the numbers say
Gender equality frameworks and commitments in the Blue Pacific
Regional initiatives: Donor and development support
Pacific-led solutions to addressing violence against women and girls
COVID-19: a risk to progress
Concluding remarks
Notes
References
Index
