In these confessional pages, women control their own bodies and desires, work toward healing their painful pasts, and learn to assert their sexual power.

Weaving a rich tapestry of experiences with a sex positive outlook, Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah’s The Sex Lives of African Women is an empowering, subversive book that celebrates the liberation, individuality, and joy of African women’s multifaceted sexuality.

The book amplifies phenomenal women from across the African continent and its global diaspora as they speak to empowering, experimental and inspirational experiences of sex, sexualities and relationships.

‘Such a beautiful read, like chatting to a friend over a cuppa. This is the intimate, insightful read that I didn’t know I needed. Just brilliant.’ – Dorothy Koomson

Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah spent decades talking openly and intimately to African women around the world about sex. In this book, she brings together their extraordinary stories, while also chronicling her own journey towards sexual freedom.

From finding queer community in Egypt to living a polyamorous life in Senegal to understanding the intersectionality of religion and pleasure in Cameroon, their necessary narratives are individual and illuminating. This stunning collection provides crucial insight into our quest for sexual power and offers all women inspirational examples to live a truly liberated life.

‘I really haven’t read anything like it, in its treatment of African women’s lives, sex lives, and sexualities. It breaks silences, it challenges stereotypes, it dismisses taboos, it throws social norms out the window, and most importantly, it defends our complexity and it gives us shelter and room for healing.’ – NoViolet Bulawayo, author of Glory

‘Talking about sex is still taboo in most cultures and communities and these personal stories reveal a mind-blowing variety of sexualities, sex lives and relationships.’ – Bernadine Evaristo

‘Honest and moving. A vital treasure.’ – Bolu Babalola, author of Love in Colour

‘In these emotionally charged and refreshingly honest essays, this collection gives literal shape to women’s sexuality and desires. Nothing less than stunning. Essential read! I couldn’t put it down.’ – Nicole Dennis-Benn, bestselling author of Patsy and Here Comes the Sun

‘This collection affirms what we’ve known all along: African women are reclaiming their bodies and taking ownership of their sexual destinies. Every single story leaves you feeling deliciously empowered.’ – Lola Shoneyin, author of The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives

‘Boundary-breaking, fascinating and deeply affirming.’ – Otegha Uwagba, author of Little Black Book

About the author

Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah is a feminist activist, writer and blogger. She is the co-founder of the Adventures from the Bedrooms of African Women award-winning blog that focuses on African women, sex and sexualities. She works with the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) as Director of Communications and Media.

Categories Africa International Non-fiction

Tags Jonathan Ball Publishers Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah New books New releases The Sex Lives of African Women