Célia Marchessaux

Muse is a collection of tools that addresses different challenges within a woman’s journey through life. The narrative navigates from puberty to womanhood and targets two different leverage points: Sex Education and gynecological appointments.

Muse answers real world challenges in a society which shies away from Sex Education and surrounds the topics of body and sexuality with shame. Muse empowers girls to face their bodies and break their silence in order to shape a new generation that feels differently, challenges oppressive perspectives and has a healthier relationship with bodies and sexuality.

The first kit contains educational objects and cards that address ‘taboo’ topics to support young girls to gradually become informed and empowered women.

The second kit is tackling women's healthcare and is composed of a gown and an interactive stand. The gown empowers women to only show the parts that need to be seen during a gynecology appointment, while the stand familiarizes patients with gynecological tools.

The kit contains educational objects and cards that address ‘taboo’ topics to support young girls to gradually become informed and empowered women. It contains a cardholder mirror, question box, 1.1 female reproductive system puzzle, and four chapters of educational cards: My New Body / My Happy Body / My Healthy Body / My Changing body.

The kit has been designed to answer accessibility challenges. It explores how governmental health structures such as the NHS could address Sexual Education through a women centered approach.

Muse was born from conversations about body and sexuality and the desire to explore this territory through a women centered approach. Muse was iteratively developed with the involvement of several experts such as: gynecologists, midwives, psychologists, teachers - but most importantly women from different ages, backgrounds and cultures. These essential conversations not only supported and welcomed the project but also challenged it with insights. Gynecologists and midwives testified experiencing daily apologies from patients about their bodies. Their call is consistent: it is urgent that women are aware of their body.

The gown echoes patients' experienced vulnerability. The stand targets a leverage point identified with experts: the waiting room's sterility and the need to bridge with apprehensive patients. 

The SEX ED kit was tested with 16 girls - Year 9 at St. Margaret School. Being able to curate a workshop, observe how the kit was perceived and collect feedback was the apogee of Muse's journey. 

I am forever grateful for the support I received from St Margaret School, which offered me the rare and heartwarming opportunity to introduce Muse to 16 girls.