Ugandans Support Women's Autonomy in Marriage and Reproduction Decisions, but Strongly Oppose Abortion

26 August 2024
Afrobarometer (Accra)
By Sophie Sunderland and Alfred Kwadzo Torsu

Majorities endorse teaching sex education and allowing pregnant pupils to stay in school.

Key findings

  • Large majorities of Ugandans say women should be able to decide for themselves whether and when to marry (78%) as well as when to have children and how many children to have (66%). o Women are much more likely than men to believe in women's autonomy in reproductive choices (75% vs. 57%).
  • More than eight in 10 Ugandans (84%) say pupils who get pregnant or have children should be allowed to continue their schooling. o Six in 10 (60%) endorse the teaching of sex education in school.
  • Only about four in 10 citizens say contraceptives should be made available for anyone who is sexually active regardless of age (38%) and marital status (42%).
  • A majority of Ugandans say abortion is "never" justified in cases where the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest (64%) or where the mother is economically unable to care for a child (82%). If the mother's life or health is at risk, about half (48%) see terminating a pregnancy as "sometimes" or "always" justified.

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are a fundamental aspect of public health and human rights, encompassing physical, mental, and social well-being concerning sexuality and childbearing (Starr et al., 2018). Expressing the right to autonomy over one's body and sexuality, SRHR ensure that individuals can make informed decisions about their sexual health and reproductive choices and access necessary services without facing discrimination, coercion, or violence.

Uganda has made notable efforts to advance SRHR, including as a co-signer of the East and Southern Africa Ministerial Commitment on sexuality education and sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents and young people in 2013 (UNESCO, 2013). Through its membership in the African Union (2024), Uganda has contributed to policies such as the Continental Policy Framework on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (2006) framework, affirming its commitment to improving maternal and newborn health and access to reproductive services.

But challenges to sexual and reproductive health and rights are prevalent, particularly for young women. Among female youth, 30% have high unmet needs for family planning, and 28% undergo unsafe abortions or die due to complications related to pregnancy (UNICEF, 2022). In Uganda, the fertility rate is highest among women aged 15-24, and many of these pregnancies are the result of inadequate knowledge of or access to contraception (Uganda Bureau of Statistics & ICF, 2018). According to the United Nations Population Fund, one in four Ugandan women have a child by the age of 19, and nearly half of these pregnancies are unexpected (UNFPA Uganda & National Planning Authority, 2022).

While 99% of both men and women in Uganda report knowing about at least one contraceptive method, only 39% of married women and 51% of unmarried women use a method (Uganda Bureau of Statistics & ICF, 2018). Taking steps to improve family planning services, Uganda has committed to raising access to and voluntary use of contraceptives for women from 30.4% to 39.6% by 2025 (Ministry of Health, 2021).

Abortion is a felony punishable by imprisonment under the Penal Code of 1950, but the Constitution permits a woman to terminate a pregnancy if "authorised by law" (Republic of Uganda, 1995), though no law exists to clarify the specific instances when it is permissible. The National Policy Guidelines and Service Standards for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights cite several instances when abortion is allowed, including to save the mother's life or in the case of a nonviable pregnancy (Ministry of Health, 2012). However, policies are interpreted inconsistently by the courts, leaving what is legally permitted unclear to women and medical professionals and leading some women to seek unsafe abortions (Guttmacher Institute, 2013).

With regard to LGBTQ+ rights, Uganda has one of the world's harshest laws criminalising same-sex conduct (Human Rights Watch, 2024), and only 5% of Ugandans express tolerant attitudes toward people in same-sex relationships (Kakumba, 2023).

A special question module in Afrobarometer's Round 10 survey (2024) explores the opinions and experiences of Ugandans related to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Findings show that most Ugandans think women should have autonomy in making decisions regarding marriage and reproduction. Majorities also say that young women who become pregnant or have children should be allowed to continue their education and that sex education should be taught in school. But only minorities endorse the idea of making contraceptives available to everyone who is sexually active regardless of age and marital status.

Ugandans are divided on the issue of abortion if the mother's life or health is at risk but largely oppose pregnancy termination on other grounds.

Sophie Sunderland Sophie Sunderland is a PhD student in the Department of Political Science at Michigan State University.

Alfred Kwadzo Torsu Alfred Kwadzo Torsu is the Data Analytics Lead at Afrobarometer, where he focuses on using data to guide and shape effective policies.

Read the original article on Afrobarometer.

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