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Summary: Elizabeth, a certified sex educator and public health professional, speaks on the importance of comprehensive sexuality education, reproductive autonomy, and strengthening feminist solidarity through inclusive and informed advocacy.
Elizabeth is a certified sex educator and public health professional based in Nigeria, with a strong focus on sexual and reproductive health, bodily autonomy, and the influence of culture and misinformation on how sexuality is understood. Her work centres on providing accurate, accessible, and non-judgmental information about sex and sexuality.
Through her advocacy, she creates safe spaces where people, especially women and young people, can ask questions, challenge myths, and make informed decisions about their bodies and wellbeing. In this conversation with Naija Feminists Media, she shares her journey into feminism, the urgent issues affecting women and girls, and the importance of building inclusive feminist movements.
Insights from Elizabeth on Sexuality Education, Reproductive Autonomy, and Feminist Solidarity
- When and how did you personally come to feminism? Was there a moment, experience, or process that shaped your feminist consciousness?
I did not come to feminism through a single defining moment. It was more of a gradual process that unfolded as I grew older and began to question the world around me. For a long time, I stood on the fence. Like many people, I had misconceptions about feminism and often viewed it through the stereotypes that portray feminists as extreme or unreasonable. However, as I matured and became more aware of how society functions, it became harder to ignore the patterns I was seeing. Began to notice the many ways women are treated differently simply because they are women, whether in families, relationships, or broader society. Growing up in a religious environment, many of these ideas were presented as normal and unquestionable.
As I began to reflect and deconstruct some of those beliefs, they stopped making sense to me. I started asking questions: Why are women expected to submit while men are expected to lead? Why are certain roles automatically assigned to women because of their gender? Why are women’s bodies and sexuality so heavily policed?
These questions pushed me to examine the structures shaping our everyday lives. My own lived experiences, including experiences of sexual violence, also shaped this awareness. Over time, I came to understand feminism as a necessary response to the inequalities that shape women’s lives.
- What issues affecting women and girls are you most focused on right now, and why do you believe these issues require urgent attention?
One issue I care deeply about is the lack of comprehensive sexuality education and the consequences it has for women and girls. In many communities, conversations about sex, consent and bodily autonomy are treated as taboo. As a result, many people grow up without the language or knowledge to understand their own boundaries.
I have heard stories of women who experienced sexual assault but blamed themselves or did not even realise it was assault until years later. Education cannot prevent every instance of violence, but it gives people the tools to recognise violations and understand that their bodies and consent matter.
I am also passionate about reproductive autonomy, including abortion advocacy. Safe abortion is healthcare, and women should have the right to make informed decisions about their own bodies without stigma, shame or legal barriers.
- From your perspective, which law, policy, or systemic change should be prioritised to improve the lives of women and girls, particularly in Nigeria?
One area that urgently needs attention is the stronger implementation of laws addressing sexual violence. While legal frameworks exist, many cases of rape and sexual assault are never properly investigated or prosecuted.
Survivors often face stigma, disbelief, and a lack of accessible support systems, which discourages many from reporting. Strengthening enforcement and ensuring that survivors have safe, accessible places to seek help and justice is critical. Another important priority is expanding access to reproductive healthcare, including safe abortion services. Abortion should be treated as a public health issue rather than a moral debate.
When safe and legal options are restricted, women are often pushed toward unsafe alternatives that put their health and lives at risk. Ensuring access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare is essential for protecting women’s autonomy, health, and dignity.
- What does feminist solidarity and collective action look like to you, and what message would you like to share with younger feminists?
For me, feminist solidarity does not mean that everyone has to agree on everything or approach feminism in exactly the same way. People contribute to the movement in different ways. Some are more visible advocates, while others work through education, research, or community engagement. All of these contributions matter.
What matters most is supporting women’s voices, choices, and rights, even when their experiences or perspectives differ from our own. Solidarity also requires recognising intersectionality. Women do not experience oppression in the same way. Factors such as race, class, sexuality, and social position shape how misogyny and discrimination show up in people’s lives.
Building stronger feminist movements means listening to those differences, respecting diverse forms of advocacy, and creating space for all women to be seen, heard and supported.
