“Girls Have More Challenges; They Need to Be Locked Up”: A Qualitative Study of Gender Norms and the Sexuality of Young Adolescents in Uganda

Abstract

Unequal power and gender norms expose adolescent girls to higher risks of HIV, early marriages, pregnancies and coerced sex. In Uganda, almost half of the girls below the age of 18 are already married or pregnant, which poses a danger to the lives of young girls. This study explores the social construction of gender norms from early childhood, and how it influences adolescents’ agency. Contrary to the mainstream theory of agency, which focuses on the ability to make informed choices, adolescents’ agency appears constrained by context-specific obstacles. This study adopted qualitative research approaches involving 132 participants. Of these, 44 were in-depth interviews and 11 were focus group discussions, parcelled out into separate groups of adolescents (12–14 years), teachers, and parents (n = 88), in Western Uganda. Data were analysed manually using open and axial codes, and conclusions were inductive. Results show that gender norms are established early in life, and have a very substantial impact on the agency of young adolescents. There were stereotypical gender norms depicting boys as sexually active and girls as restrained; girls’ movements were restricted; their sexual agency constrained; and prevention of pregnancy was perceived as a girl’s responsibility. Programs targeting behavioural change need to begin early in the lives of young children. They should target teachers and parents about the values of gender equality and strengthen the legal system to create an enabling environment to address the health and wellbeing of adolescents.

Sexual health of very young adolescents in South Western Uganda: a cross-sectional assessment of sexual knowledge and behavior

“…Findings from a qualitative study in Uganda indicate use of media with sexual content is perceived to contribute to persistence of inequitable norms, especially in depicting women as submissive and men being sex driven [ 33 ]. In another study in a subset of these VYAs, we found inequitable sexual socialization tendencies beginning to emerge in early adolescence [ 25 ]. Both of these studies highlighted the role that media can play in shaping VYAs ideas about sex and relationships including norms that can be harmful to both boys and girls.…”

“…In this study, 7.6% of VYAs were sexually active, which is lower than previous findings among the same age group in Sub-Saharan Africa of 11–15% [ 23 , 37 ]. More boys than girls reported being sexually active, which may relate to underreporting among Ugandan girls, who are often less comfortable and more stigmatized for being sexually active before marriage [ 25 ] . However, it was noted in this study that the majority of sexually active young adolescents did not use condoms, which puts young adolescents at risk of STIs, HIV and early pregnancy.…”

“…Furthermore, research by Kemigisha et al, 2018 on Ugandan VYAs found that inequitable norms around gender and sexuality increase with age [ 24 ]. Harmful gender norms surrounding sexuality, consent and decision-making exacerbate SRH risks for boys as well as girls [ 25 ]. Interventions should target adolescents at a young age, before they have already developed harmful norms about gender and sex.…”

Girls, Sexuality, and Gender-Based Violence in Africa

“…These same norms serve to maintain a shroud of silence around various harmful and sometimes life threatening practices affecting girls. Ninsiima et al (2018) warn that gendered norms that taboo access to sexuality information for girls fail to create a safe environment for fostering girls' agency and well-being. Acts of GBV pose serious threats to girls' mental and physical wellbeing.…”

Teenage Reproductive Health: Pregnancy, Contraception, Unsafe Abortion, Fertility

“…Ninsiima et al [ 4 ] went deep into the gender aspect in developing countries with their report from Uganda and wrote a paper titled “Girls Have More Challenges; They Need to Be Locked Up”: A Qualitative Study of Gender Norms and the Sexuality of Young Adolescents in Uganda. Unequal power and gender norms expose adolescent girls to high risks of HIV, early marriages, pregnancies and coerced sex.…”