Durex’s The Birds and Bees Talk (TBBT), a pioneering life skills program by Reckitt, is set to unveil Asia’s first-ever Consent Café at the 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival in Kohima, Nagaland, from December 1 to 10. This initiative aims to foster meaningful conversations on consent, inclusion, equity, and healthy relationships, tackling the rising number of gender-based crimes in India. The launch comes as part of TBBT’s continued partnership with the festival, marking its third consecutive year as the official Health Partner.
The immersive Consent Café, designed to engage attendees through art, light, and music, will provide a space for reflection on the importance of consent. The first café will be inaugurated by Nagaland’s Minister of Tourism and Higher Education, Shri TemjenImna Along. This transformative experience aligns with the increasing need for consent education in India, in light of the 28,811 gender-based complaints reported in 2023.
The Hornbill Festival will also feature a TBBT Music Carnival, a new AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot for consent education, and the second edition of an empowering painting competition. Additionally, the festival’s largest health pavilion, the Durex TBBT Arena, will host interactive life skills sessions. Imphal stands to benefit from TBBT’s educational initiatives. The growing demand for progressive education in the region underscores the need for conversations on inclusion and equity, especially among youth. As the festival continues to gain traction, similar educational efforts could spark wider social change across Northeast India.