Slut shaming and virgin praising: how conservative concepts of female sexuality affect access to sexual and reproductive health rights in Uganda.

Abstract

This thesis explores the ways in which societal attitudes towards women's sexual behaviour affect law and policy making. Specifically, it examines the phenomenon of "slut-shaming" and "virgin praising" and how these attitudes contribute to a double standard in the treatment of women in legal contexts in as far as access to sexual rights is concerned. The paper reviews existing literature on the topic, analysing the historical roots and cultural origins of slut-shaming and virgin praising, and their impact on legal policy making. The research also considers the role of media and popular culture in perpetuating these attitudes, as well as their influence on political decision-making. The paper looks at the legal impact of these societal attitudes in regards to the rights of women, the right to dignity, access to sexual and reproductive health and rights and generally access to justice. Finally, the paper proposes possible solutions and policy recommendations to address the negative impact of these attitudes on legal policy making, including increased education and awareness campaigns, changes in legal language and statutes, and the promotion of gender equality and women's rights. This area of research is a global topic, but this thesis shall confine itself to the scope of Uganda, due to limitations such as time and other resources.