Embracing Pleasure
A sex-positive and pleasure-inclusive approach to SRHR
Learn how Plan International’s Embracing Pleasure project applied a sex-positive and pleasure-inclusive approach within sexual and reproductive health and rights programmes for young people, and the recommendations if you or your organisation wish to take this path too.
Embracing Pleasure is a Plan International project implemented in Bolivia, the Philippines, and Zimbabwe from 2023 to 2024, in partnership with The Pleasure Project.
Building on Plan’s endorsement of the Pleasure Principles the project turned this global commitment into practice.
Embracing Pleasure aimed to answer the question: How can Plan International further embed a sex-positive and pleasure-inclusive approach within sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) programming and influencing strategies across different country contexts?
With technical support from The Pleasure Project, we worked with youth advisors, local partners, and country office teams with ongoing SRHR programmes to amplify young people’s perspectives on sexual pleasure, well-being, and agency.
Through participatory research, workshops, and creative methods, Embracing Pleasure explored how cultural norms, gender expectations, and access to information shape attitudes towards sexual pleasure and relationships.
Download our learning reports for insights on how the Embracing Pleasure project brought the Pleasure Principles to life across diverse contexts and our recommendations for organisations looking to follow a pleasure-inclusive approach in SRHR work with young people.
Download the learning report
Embracing pleasure 10 key lessons
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embracing pleasure learning document
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“I came to understand that accepting pleasure does not mean being careless or neglecting our responsibilities. It allows us to rest, enjoy, and appreciate the simple things that bring us happiness.”
Youth participant, Philippines
“Pleasure is not taboo but a necessary part of sexual experience.”
Youth advisor, Zimbabwe
“When we talked about sexual pleasure, we heard many stories about trauma. It is important for women to recover their voices and demand that these issues be addressed.”
Youth advisor, 17, female, Bolivia
Categories: Sexual and reproductive health and rights
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