Embodied Experiences Of Abstinence-Only Education: A Case Study Of Women In Uganda

There is a growing body of research, primarily from the U.S. context, indicating that abstinence-only education (AOE) is largely ineffective (Kohler, P. K., L. E. Manhart, and W. E. Lafferty. 2008. "Abstinence-only and comprehensive sex education and the initiation of sexual activity and teen pregnancy." Journal of Adolescent Health 42 (4): 344-351; Rosenbaum, J. E. 2009. "Patient teenagers? A comparison of the sexual behavior of virginity pledgers and matched non-pledgers." Pediatrics 123 (1): e110 - e120). However, there is a dearth of research about the gendered dimensions of AOE, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. We focus on the case of Uganda due to the high sexual risk factors, especially for women and girls, as well as the strong presence of AOE. Drawing on interview data with 33 young Ugandan women, results from this study demonstrate how AOE reinforces deeply embedded cultural norms and harmful traditional practices, from victim blaming to bride price. AOE is inherently gendered, damaging to young women's self-esteem and perceived bodily integrity, and does not promote informed sexual health decisions. The findings from our study illustrate that comprehensive sexual education that promotes inquiry and critical thinking from students may serve as a powerful weapon against gendered oppression.