Economic vulnerability and young people's sexual relationships in rural Uganda

Abstract

Drawing on findings from a two-year in-depth qualitative study conducted in three rural areas in Uganda, this paper describes the ‘systematic structuring of vulnerability’ arising from young women's experiences of economic insecurity, and the impact this has on sexual decision-making and practices. It describes economic insecurity within young people's households, perceived gaps in parental provision for young women's basic needs, and the restrictions experienced by young women and men when trying to generate their own income. By examining the links between these experiences of economic vulnerability and young people's sexual decision-making and practices, this paper offers important pointers to the development of future approaches to sexual health programming which incorporate strategies to enhance young people's independent income generation opportunities and reduce their experiences of economic insecurity at home.

Keywords:

• young people
• economic vulnerability
• sexual health
• pregnancy
• income generation

Notes

1. Transactional sex is different from ‘sex work’ which consists of a financial arrangement whereby a client pays a sex worker an agreed fee for the provision of sexual services (Hunter 2002; Luke and Kurz 2002; Busza 2006).

2. A tin is an unit in which beans are sold, weighing around 20 kg. Other units mentioned include a sack weighing around 100 kg, and a basin, weighing around 10 kg.

3. Under the Penal Code in Uganda, ‘defilement’ applies to all cases of sexual contact outside marriage involving girls younger than 18, regardless of consent or the age of the ‘perpetrator’. Defilement carries a death sentence, or imprisonment for 18 years with or without corporal punishment. In the research areas, defilement was often dealt with more informally. Boys were held in a local prison, living in impoverished conditions and completing heavy manual labour until a settlement fine (e.g. USh500,000–800,000, £160–270) is paid to the girl's parents.