What’s Shame Got to Do With It: Forced Sex among Married or Steady Partners in Uganda

Kathleen Cash

Abstract

Research objectives were to understand the relationship between sexual, domestic and civil violence and the transmission of HIV/AIDS in Uganda. The focus of this paper is on forced marital sex within the context of Ugandan marital and steady partner relations.   Qualitative unstructured interviews were conducted in focus group discussions and private in-depth interviews with 450 Ugandan men and women.  Data analysis focused on patterns in respondents’ experiences, interpretations and dialogue.  

Research findings illuminated how forced marital sex is induced by feelings of shame and could play a significant role in HIV/AIDS transmission.  Findings suggest five interrelated reasons for forced marital sex:  the absence of sexual pleasure, pregnancy, poverty, infidelity and alcohol use.  Influencing the nature and extent of public and private conversations between spouses, men in drinking groups, family members and friends about the health and relational consequences of sexual violence is critical to changing normative beliefs and behavior (Afr J Reprod Health 2011; 15[3]:25-40).

 

Résumé

Qu’est-ce que la honte a  à voir ? Violence sexuelle chez les gens  mariés ou des partenaires qui ont des relations stables en Ouganda: L’étude avait comme objectif de comprendre le rapport entre la violence sexuelle domestique et civile et la transmission du VIH/SIDA en Ouganda.  L’accent  est mis sur la violence sexuelle conjugale dans le contexte des rapports conjugaux et des partenaires en relations  stables.  Des interviews qualitatives non-structurées ont été menées à travers des discussions à groupe cible et des interviews en profondeur auprès  des 450 Ougandais et Ougandaises.  Les analyses des données  ont concentré sur les tendances dans les expériences des enquêtés, les interprétations et le dialogues.  Les résultats ont éclairé comment la violence sexuelle conjugale est provoquée par les sentiments  de honte et peut jouer un rôle important dans la transmission du VIH/SIDA.  Les résultats préconisent cinq raisons étroitement liées pour expliquer la violence sexuelle conjugale : le manque du plaisir sexuel, la grossesse, la pauvreté, l’infidélité et l’emploi de l’alcool.  Pour modifier les croyances et le comportement  normatifs, il est critique d’influencer la nature et l’étendue  des conversations publiques et privées entre les époux, les hommes quand ils boivent ensemble, les membres de famille et les amis, sur les conséquences sanitaires  et relationnelles (Afr J Reprod Health 2011; 15[3]:25-40).

 

  Keywords: Forced sex, Uganda, married, shame, sexual violence, HIV/AIDS 

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