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Sexual harassment or the unwanted offensive behaviours that women and girls experience is a pervasive global challenge. Yet, there is limited evidence on the lived experiences of sexual harassment from school-based settings in sub-Saharan Africa. We explore students' perceived experiences, perpetration, and drivers of sexual harassment in schools in Mwanza, Tanzania. This study employed a qualitative research design involving 30 in-depth interviews and seven focus group discussions with 30 male and 40 female secondary school pupils aged 13–19 years. Data was analysed using a thematic approach. The findings show that experiences of sexual harassment among schoolgirls were widespread. Common forms of harassment were verbal and non-verbal gestures of a sexual nature. The desire to prove one's masculinity and peer pressure were key drivers of perpetration among schoolboys. Teachers took advantage of their positions of authority to sexually harass female pupils and employed corporal punishment to those who resisted their advances. Sexual harassment had multiple negative outcomes, including schoolgirls dropping out of school and mental health issues, such as anxiety, stress and poor academic performance. Girls rarely reported sexual harassment for fear of further victimisation and stigma from others. Sexual harassment of girls is common in secondary schools in Mwanza and is mainly driven by peer pressure and the desire to prove one's masculinity. Given its harmful effects, there is a need to implement clear policies to protect girls, support confidential disclosure and reporting and to address toxic masculinity norms among young men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual harassment is pervasive worldwide, yet there is a lack of clarity on its conceptualization in many settings, especially in low-income countries. Context-specific conceptualization of sexual harassment is vital to develop effective measurement tools, estimate its magnitude, and the design of interventions to address it. We explored how different population groups in Mwanza, Tanzania, understood, conceptualized, and experienced sexual harassment. This study employed a qualitative research design involving 74 in-depth interviews and 13 focus group discussions with participants from educational, workplace, and public settings in Mwanza, Tanzania. Participants were adolescent girls and boys, adult women and men. We explored individual-level perceptions and experiences of sexual harassment, and community norms and expectations around sexual harassment. We analyzed the data using a thematic approach. Participants' perceptions of sexual harassment emphasized the critical role of consent, the expression of male power, and social norms with regard to sexual harassment. Sexual harassment was understood to be a result of men being in positions of power and in charge of material resources, school grades, or employment opportunities. These in turn enabled them to take advantage of girls and women. Social norms around male and female interactions, courtship and seduction, expressions of sexual interest were crucial in delineating what was and what was not considered sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is a fluid concept, and its definition is highly dependent on contextual factors. Consent underpins the conceptualization of sexual harassment and is a fundamental feature in the definition and measurement of sexual harassment in Tanzania. Consent is largely determined by sexual norms around male and female interactions and gendered power. There is a need for consensus in schools, workplaces, and communities about what constitutes sexual harassment in order to measure and address it appropriately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although cash transfers (CT) have been recommended as a strategy to address structural drivers of HIV, the evidence of the effects of CT on sexual risk and HIV outcomes is mixed. This could partly be due to CT implementation dynamics and beneficiary interpersonal factors. We conducted an assessment of CT component of the DREAMS programme in Tanzania. We explored how AGYW spent their CT over time, to whom they disclosed cash receipt, and where they sought advice on CT use. The study employed qualitative research methods including: 20 longitudinal in-depth interviews (IDIs) and 60 cross-sectional IDIs with AGYW in the CT programme. Data were analysed thematically. AGYW use of CT fell into five categories: business development, survival, self-care, helping family, and savings. The primary uses of CT funds were investment in businesses and livestock for savings. AGYW use of cash changed over instalments. AGYW consulted a variety of sources when deciding on how to use the cash, primarily mothers, programme personnel, and long-term partners/husbands. CT programmes that give cash directly to AGYW and have a strong entrepreneurial mentorship component could have implications for HIV prevention, SRH, and overall social and economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sexual harassment is associated with negative sexual and mental health outcomes. There is a lack of clarity on its conceptualization in many settings, especially in low-income countries. Context-specific conceptualizations of sexual harassment is vital to develop effective measurement tools, estimate its magnitude and to develop interventions to address it. We explored how different population groups in Tanzania understood, conceptualized, and experienced sexual harassment. Methods: This study employed a qualitative research design involving 74 in-depth interviews and 13 focus group discussions with participants from educational, workplace and public settings in Mwanza, Tanzania. Participants were adolescent girls (n=28) and boys (n=26) in and out of school; adult women (n=10) and men (n=10) in workplace and public spaces. We explored individual level perceptions and experiences of sexual harassment, and community norms and perceptions around sexual harassment. We used thematic analysis to analyse the transcripts. Results: Participants' perceptions of sexual harassment emphasized the critical role of consent, the expression of male power and social norms with regards to sexual harassment. Sexual harassment was understood to be a result of men being in positions of power and in charge of material resources, school grades or employment opportunities. These in turn enabled them to take advantage of girls and women. The place and person involved in the act of harassment were important in defining the practice. The types of sexual harassment varied from blurred/unclear acts of unwanted/displeasing behaviours to clear sexual abuse and exploitation practices such as rape, forced sex or violence. Social norms around male and female interactions, courtship and seduction, expressions of sexual interest were crucial in delineating what was and what was not considered sexual harassment. Conclusion: Sexual harassment is a fluid concept. Consent and power in relationships underpin the conceptualization of sexual harassment and is a fundamental feature in the definition and measurement of sexual harassment in Tanzania. Consent is largely determined by sexual norms around male and female interactions and gendered power. There is a need for consensus in schools, workplaces, and communities about what constitutes sexual harassment in order to measure and address it appropriately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite being at an increased risk of violence and HIV infection, young women who sell sex, may not easily access HIV services. The objective of the study is to explore views of health providers and young female sex workers (YFSWs) themselves on barriers and enablers to accessing HIV services in Tanzania and to offer insights to enhance access. Methods: This study utilized an ethnographic research design involving six SRH programme implementers and photovoice with 10 Young Female Sex Workers (YFSWs) aged 18-24 years. Thematic analysis was conducted with the aid of NVIVO qualitative analysis software. Results: Health providers reported common SRH services available in their communities as HIV testing and treatment, contraception, and STIs treatment. Barriers to accessing HIV services among YFSWs were stigma as a result of the young age of the women as well as their engagement in sex work; lack of differentiated type of services for adolescents and YFSWs in the communities; limited preferred contraception options. Enabling factors were reported as: Service providers supporting girls to access SRH services through peer groups; respect and trust built between health providers and YFSWs; prompt service provision to YFSWs when they come to facilities; localization of services to where YFSWs operate and making these services available for 24 hours. Conclusions: There is a need to address health provider-related barriers to YFSWs accessing HIV services while emphasizing the promotion of the factors that promoted uptake such as localization of services and 24-hour access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]