Our Work

Health and Reproductive Rights

Access to safe and legal abortion, contraception and comprehensive sex education are critical components of bodily autonomy. These rights allow women to make informed choices about their reproductive health and family planning. Autonomy in healthcare decisions ensures that women can consent to or refuse medical treatments based on their own values and beliefs.

Gender and Sexual Identity

BANETU supports the rights of LBTQ to express their identities and make choices about their bodies without fear of discrimination or violence. It also encompasses the right to consensual sexual relationships and the ability to refuse unwanted sexual advances.

Protection from Violence and Coercion

BANETU safeguards against various forms of violence, including domestic abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking. When women are empowered to make decisions about their own bodies, they are better equipped to protect themselves from coercion and exploitation. Legal frameworks and social norms must support and protect women from any form of coercion or violence that infringes upon their autonomy.

Economic and Social Empowerment

Ensuring bodily autonomy can have profound economic and social benefits. When women have control over their reproductive choices, they can pursue education and career opportunities, leading to greater economic independence and societal contributions. Social policies that support bodily autonomy contribute to gender equality and help dismantle systemic barriers that disproportionately affect women and marginalized groups.

Addressing challenges to bodily autonomy

Despite its fundamental importance, our work around bodily autonomy is frequently challenged by social, cultural and legal barriers. In Uganda, restrictive laws, cultural norms and lack of access to essential services undermine this right. Some of the key challenges faced are;

• Restrictive Laws - Legislation that limits access to abortion, contraception and gender-affirming healthcare directly impedes our work on bodily autonomy.
• Cultural Norms and Stigma - Societal attitudes and stigma around issues like sexual health, reproductive rights and gender identity can pressure women into making choices against their will.
• Violence and Coercion-High rates of domestic violence, sexual assault and coercive control continue to threaten our work on bodily autonomy among women and marginalized communities.

Our Advocacy Work on Bodily Autonomy

To protect and promote bodily autonomy, we advocate for policies and cultural changes that respect and empower women choices. Our work focusses on the following;

• Legal Reforms - We advocate for laws that protect and expand access to reproductive healthcare, support gender-affirming treatments and safeguard against all forms of violence and coercion.
• Education and Awareness - We promote comprehensive sex education that empowers women with knowledge about their bodies, consent and their rights.
• Support Services - We ensure access to supportive services such as healthcare, legal assistance, and counseling for those affected by violence and coercion.
• Cultural Change - We work towards changing societal attitudes that stigmatize certain choices or identities, fostering a culture of respect and acceptance for all women regardless of sexual orientation.