Young women’s perceptions and experiences of sexual risk in Suva, Fiji

Abstract

This paper explores young iTaukei (Indigenous Fijian) women’s perceptions and experiences of sexual risk. It draws on qualitative data collected in Suva, Fiji in 2011 and 2012. Participants included iTaukei female university students aged 18–29 years. We describe nine forms of sexual risk identified by young iTaukei women, and group these risks into three clusters – social risks, physical risks and intimate relational risks. We discuss how young women prioritise these risks differently depending on context, location and relationship. Findings point to a critical mismatch between current public health risk priorities and those risks identified as most important in the lives of young iTaukei women. Findings have important implications for strengthening sexual and reproductive health policy and practice in Fiji.

Keywords:

• sexual risk
• HIV/STI prevention
• sexual and reproductive health
• youth
• Fiji

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 iTaukei (Indigenous Fijian) refers to those whose ancestry is Melanesian and/or Polynesian in origin.

2 Despite creating a safe space to discuss sexuality during focus groups and interviews, none of the young iTaukei women who participated in the research were open to discussing same-sex desires or relationships. Subsequently, the focus of this research was limited to the sexual risks of young women who explicitly identified as heterosexual. This silence may in part be due to the prevailing heteronormative sexual culture in Fiji and the subsequent stigmatisation of same-sex desire and relationships (George 2007; O’Connor, Rawstorne, Devi et al. 2018).

3 Indo-Fijians refers to those whose ancestry can be traced to India.

4 A population census was conducted in 2017. However, data on the ethnic composition of the population are not available.

5 The first author was able to book this room when required for private use to conduct focus groups and interviews.

6 Some women chose to be interviewed at the first author’s home, which was a 10-minute walk from campus, as they preferred the additional privacy this allowed.

7 Carolina is here referring to the traditional iTaukei practice of confirming a bride’s virginity by inspecting the bridal bedding for blood after the couple has consummated the marriage.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Nossal Institute for Global Health at the University of Melbourne, the Australian Awards–Endeavour Research Fellowship and Graduate Women Victoria.