Netherlands
She/Her
2021 Cohort
Aida is a Bosnian-Dutch medical anthropologist, feminist and works as a programme manager at WOMEN Inc., a Dutch NGO focussing on gender equality in the Netherlands. Before joining WOMEN Inc. she worked as a senior programme officer at Rutgers, managing different SRHR and gender projects in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and Malawi.
Rediscovering sexual pleasure after abortion 
Aida is a Bosnian-Dutch medical anthropologist, feminist and works as a programme manager at WOMEN Inc., a Dutch NGO focussing on gender equality in the Netherlands. Before joining WOMEN Inc. she worked as a senior programme officer at Rutgers, managing different SRHR and gender projects in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and Malawi. This is where her work on sexual pleasure started. With her project on pleasure and abortion she gathered insights in the diverse experiences of sex after abortion and how sexual pleasure can serve as a source of healing. Aida strongly believes in sexual pleasure as dimension and aspect of sexuality, sexual rights and well-being and is a born sexual pleasure advocate.
During the Pleasure Fellowship, Aida worked on a resource that informs women providers on how to experience sexual pleasure after an abortion. The basis for this resource were real life stories from women who have experienced abortion themselves. To capture these stories, Aida worked with ‘The Reproductive Health Network Kenya (RHNK)’, which acts as a network of health professionals within private and public facilities committed to Comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, advocacy and service provision. Aida also partnered with another fellow, Ipsita Divedi, to illustrate the resource.
Aida is currently working as Program Manager for WOMEN Inc., a Dutch NGO that focuses on gender equality in the Netherlands. She’s currently also board member for Share Net International.
Highlights
People Google the term ‘sex after abortion’ roughly 2,000 times a month.
During post abortion care services, many women receive messages and information about using contraceptives to make sure that a repeat abortion will not take place. Sexual pleasure is not talked about. Many women are left with more questions than answers. Is sex going to hurt? Feel different? Be different? Abortion is an extremely sensitive topic and having pleasurable sex after an abortion is even more sensitive. While it is important to talk about contraceptives, this conversation is not always aligned with the reality of the worries and questions of women who just experienced an abortion. Sexual pleasure is an integral part of people’s lives and should therefore be addressed through all stages of women’s lives as well, including after an abortion. ‘Rediscovering sexual pleasure after an abortion’ is a resource for women that offers clear answers and practical information.
“The first thing that comes to mind is that you find a true passion or connection. Because now even that I don't work in the field of international development anymore, I still feel very connected to the group. And it really is because TPP was very good in facilitating this connection. It's really unique and one of a kind that you meet like-minded people that have the same passion as you. I think back about it very positively and happy. I'm very happy that we're still in touch. I really see it also as a network”
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