Barriers to the Enjoyment of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for Lesbian and Bisexual Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Mozambique

Carlos Arnaldo, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane
Boaventura Cau, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane
Monica Frederico, Unicersidade Eduardo Mondlane
Estevão Manhice, Centro de Pesquisa em População e Saúde
Ann M. Moore, Guttmacher Institute
Melissa Stillman, Guttmacher Institute

Enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) is a challenge, but for those who identify as lesbian or bisexual, the obstacles are generally much greater. This marginalized group often faces a hostile and uncomfortable environment unconducive to expressing their sexuality or seeking sexual and reproductive health services. Based on qualitative in-depth interviews collected between July and August, 2023 in northern Mozambique with AGYW aged 18-24 who identified as lesbian or bisexual, this paper explores the individual, societal and institutional obstacles they face in their efforts to enjoy their sexual and reproductive health and rights. Understanding the specific sexual and reproductive health needs of this group through listening to their voices is an important step needed to inform the development of programs and policies to improve access to information and services for this vulnerable population.

Keywords: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Gender Dynamics, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination, Qualitative data/methods/approaches

See extended abstract.