Durex’s The Birds and Bees Talk launches Asia’s first consent café at Hornbill Festival, pioneers youth education in India

Durex’s The Birds and Bees Talk (TBBT) by Reckitt is making waves at the 25th Hornbill Festival in Kohima, Nagaland, where it will unveil Asia’s first-ever Consent Café. This innovative space aims to drive transformative conversations on consent, inclusion, and healthy relationships, addressing the urgent need for consent education in India. The Café, which combines light, music, and art, will open its doors to over 150,000 festivalgoers, with an inauguration by Shri TemjenImna Along, Nagaland’s Minister of Tourism.

The Hornbill Festival will also feature the TBBT Music Carnival, an AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot for consent education, and the second edition of a painting competition focused on themes of inclusion and awareness. The Durex TBBT Arena, the largest health pavilion at the festival, will offer life skills sessions aimed at fostering informed, responsible youth.

Aizawl’s youth are increasingly engaged with educational programs that address social issues. With a growing demand for progressive platforms that combine cultural relevance with modern values, the launch of TBBT initiatives could inspire similar conversations in Aizawl. As young people become more aware of gender equity, TBBT’s focus on consent aligns well with the region’s evolving educational needs and youth-focused initiatives.