It’s a fun evening as we watch Patrick Swayze sizzling on the dance floor in Dirty Dancing. A regular mainstream film but we peeled off the layers and discussed the depictions of a young woman’s sexuality and the paternalistic controls, class divides, access to safe abortion, attitude of providers and the ways in which transactional sex can take place without being the stereotypical ‘sex work’.Smriti then led us into a discussion on sexuality and the way to addressing sexual rights. We went beyond anatomy, physiology and discussed pleasure, rights of young children to be given sexuality education, understanding patriarchal social controls on young women’s sexuality and made the connections between that and the stigma around abortion.

We reflected on our values, where we learn them from and how we accept or reject them and use them to guide our actions.

Since it was a lovely sunny day with the green mountains in the background, we conducted a fertility dance on the terrace conducted by Puja and Deepa and helped by Pushpa ! Lots of laughter and fun as the sperms tried to run to the ovum and were held back by the condoms or blocked by the strong arms of the IUDs.

We ended the day with more fun and laughter as we watched Hysteria, a movie based on the invention of the vibrator , the most popular sex toy ever, but which also gives us a window into the lives of women in the 19^th century and the struggles to be given any dignity, respect and of course equality.

Looking forward to more tomorrow……