SHOP
Sexual Health for Older People
Project Aim
To promote healthy, empowered, stigma-free sexual wellbeing among older persons aged 50+, while strengthening communication between senior participants and healthcare providers.
What is SHOP
Older persons, and especially older women, are often neglected in sexual health interventions due to stigma, misinformation, and limited access to sexual health education, insufficient training among healthcare providers and adult women being deprioritised once they reach menopause.
Sexual Health for Older People (SHOP) is a collaboration between RealizeCanada, the South African Medical Research Council and goGOGOgo, designed to engage older persons and community health workers on sexual health conversations and support gaps for persons over the age of 55.
SHOP delivers structured workshops for:
Older adults (50+)
Health promoters and healthcare practitioners
The programme:
Reduces stigma around sexuality in ageing
Builds confidence and knowledge
Strengthens referral pathways
Enables healthcare providers to better support older adults
Integrates sexual health into broader healthy ageing strategies
SHOP in action
“You are too old for sex”. Gogo explaining the discrimination she encounters at the clinic
“We couldn’t discuss this in front of our elders”
“At the clinic they dont help you about sex because you’re old. You’re not supposed to be having sex”
Mkhulu explains how growing up, it wasn’t permitted to discuss these issues with their elders
Partners and Funders
Realize Canada (educational materials)
Safe Hub Alexandra (venue partner)
Thusong Youth Centre
Local clinics & healthcare centres
Older Persons networks
SAMRC
Project Dates
Our first workshop was in April 2025 and the project is ongoing
SHOP Gallery
