What is the A project?
about us
The A project envisions a society where sexuality and mental health are reclaimed by women and gender non-conforming people, cared for, respected, recognized in their diversities, and not utilized against them.
The A project aims to create platforms that reaffirm agency and autonomy in sexuality and mental health, while advancing, through practice and theory, a political discourse around sexual, reproductive, and mental health and seeking alternatives to counteract medical patriarchy's restrictive and reductive approaches towards all bodies, especially those of women and gender non-conforming people in Lebanon.
In its early phase the A project commits to the following activities:
the sexuality hotline
The A project believes people of all ages should be able to access information and services for sexual and reproductive health. We invite women and trans* persons with questions to call (or email) regarding sexual and reproductive health, or more broadly topics related to sexuality and gender. Everyone’s welcome, no matter what age, gender, sexual identity, or disability.
solidarity groups
Solidarity Groups based on our callers’ requests and needs, so that people of similar questions and struggles can meet and process the issues they’re facing. The aim is to give callers the opportunities to discuss their concerns among others who have the same concerns, and learn from or simply support one other.
trainings & workshops
We do workshops in schools, universities, and community centers to discuss SRHR, and we particularly try to host these with groups who have less access to SRH information and care; refugee communities, displaced citizens, and migrant communities. For requests, please reach out to us at info@theaproject.org.
multimedia and research
Producing sex-positive multimedia and documentation are cornerstones of the A project. Documentation of narratives, with consent, will help contribute to the body of research on sexuality in Lebanon. Our podcast, Fasleh, hosts numerous topics and issues around body politics, sexuality and gender.
reading retreats
Inspired by CREA, The A Project hosts 3 reading retreats (The Politics of Sexuality, The Politics of Mental Health, and Reproductive Justice). At these retreats, we delve into the theory and practice of topics at hand, through a series of articles and collective discussions. Keep an eye out for our application calls on our social media and the announcements page.
expanding our research and knowledge base
We want to make content that produces knowledge in accessible, playful, and interactive ways. We have some plans in the making, including a creative writing retreat, some research-based zines, and—as always—some new podcasts and blog posts. We’re always thinking about new projects to take on and new topics to delve into, so please do get in touch if you’d like to get involved!
events
We host events such as film screenings and discussions where we can expand the conversation on sexuality issues, and the social and political aspects of the work we do and learn from each other and from other resources and knowledge out there.
building on our referral database
We receive countless requests for competent, decent, affordable, and accessible health services on the hotline. We are asking people throughout the country to fill out surveys that give an overview of their experiences with certain healthcare providers – whether good or bad. The survey is anonymous and will feed into an ever-growing database of trusted (and not-so-trusted) healthcare providers, whose practice align with our politics and values.
This project gives gratitude to inspiring feminist activists from India. Three successful initiatives from India have given creative birth to this project; many thanks to Asia Safe Abortion Partnership (ASAP), Creating Resources for Empowerment in Action (CREA), and Talking about Reproductive and Sexual Health Issues (TARSHI).