Aim and Scope:

Language is a primary medium through which gender and sexuality are identified and constructed, and understanding the link between language and sexuality remains understudied especially in the African context where gender binarity and homophobic ideologies are still deeply rooted and entrenched. This special issue examines the role of language in constructing discourses around gender and sexuality. It aims to explore the language used in describing people in relation to their gender configurations and sexual identities. On the one hand, we call for papers that investigates the discursive construction of gender and sexuality taking into account gender inequality to promote inclusion and justice in society, young and vulnerable people, body politics, diversity, indigenous modes of sexuality education and communication, pandemic (such as coronavirus outbreak) and healthcare (e.g., HIV/AIDS), queer debates, heterosexuality inquiry, sexual desires and pleasures, agency and identity in Africa. On the other hand, we call for papers that analyze the multiple ways in which discriminatory language practices related to sexuality in the forms of metaphor, irony, slang and euphemisms which are prosaic mechanisms that increase situated self-confidence. Homophobic language use, the expression of erotic desire, negotiation of meaning in sexual encounters will be brought to the fore. It is expected that the issues discussed highlight how gender and sexuality are grounded or enacted in the sociocultural context of Africa. The aim is to gain a deeper understanding of how gender and sexuality are discursively represented by different sociocultural settings in Africa. We not only aim to situate these contemporary constructions vis-à-vis earlier pre-colonial discourses and broader (post)colonial “language expressions” but also to look for emerging possibilities and situations that allow for socially affirmative and contested expressions of agencies and desires that are often considered as sacred, sensitive and tabooed.

Submission Guidelines:

We are currently seeking scholarly submissions from experienced researchers worldwide, and authors can choose any topic as long as it is relevant to the discursive representation of gender and sexual ideologies, with particular focus on Africa. Submissions should contain original research or short report. In accordance with general academic publishing guidelines, articles must not have been previously published (in full or in part) or under consideration for publication elsewhere.

The publication date is September 2022, and will address the broad theme “Gender and Sexuality in African Discourses”. The sub-themes include, but are not limited to:

• Gendered discourses and sexuality in post/conflict and war neighborhoods
• Sexuality discourses in human migration
• Body politics in the new media
• Alternative sexualities and social media
• New/social media, sexual and gender politics
• Gender, sexuality and religious/cultural diversity
• Gender, comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and youth cultures
• Youth, vocabulary, and sexual expression
• Sexuality language in counseling context
• Gender and sexuality and indigenous cultures
• Sex, gender and changing trends of HIV / AIDS narratives
• Gender, sexual health and COVID-19 discourse
• Contraception and abortion talk
• Sexual slangs, metaphors and jokes
• Folklore, legends, and sexuality education
• Gender, sexuality and indigenous entertainment forms
• Digital storytelling in sex education
• Discursive histories of sexualities and identities
• Sexuality counselling and LGBTQ+ mental health
• Gendered expressions and wellbeing of vulnerable children
• Phallocentric scripting of sex

Papers must be in English and should adhere to the submission guidelines (http://journal.equinoxpub.com/SS/about/submissions) and should include:

1. A cover sheet (the first page of the document) containing the author’s name, contact information, paper title, author status and affiliation, and any relevant acknowledgments.
2. A single-spaced manuscript that adheres to The American Psychological Association manual of Style (7th edition) and does not contain any identifying information about the author (peer review is double-blind). This should also include a 150-200 word abstract and six keywords. Please save the document with a keyword as the document name.
3. All submissions should be sent to the guest editor, Daniel Fiaveh (Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Cape Coast, Ghana), at dfiaveh@ucc.edu.gh and the co-guest editor, Eyo Mensah (Department of Linguistics, University of Calabar, Nigeria), eyomensah2004@yahoo.com.

Important Dates:

July 15, 2020-October 15, 2020 – Call for papers (short and long abstracts)
November 30, 2020 – Notification of acceptance of abstract
May 30, 2021 – Submission of manuscripts
June 1, 2021- December 30, 2021 – Review of manuscripts
January 2022 – Notification of the acceptance of manuscript
September 2022 – Publication