Context Within Which Female Same-Sex Develops and Practiced in Tanzania: Qualitative Study among Women Who Have Sex with Women in Dar-es-Salaam City

Abstract

Background: Homosexual identification among women as lesbian, bisexual or transgender does not encompass the whole pool of women who practice same-sex behavior. Straight women especially youths are more increasingly willing to have sex with fellow women. This article establishes the reasons that influence same-sex orientation and behaviors among women in Tanzania. It explores the self-reported push/pull reasons that ultimately leads women to same-sex behavior among sampled through individuals. Method: This is a cross-sectional descriptive and retrospective study which was conducted in Dar es Salaam between January and February, 2021. The participants of the study were WSW, proxy WSW, and women who at one time had female same-sex relationships. The study also used community members aged 18 years and above but only those who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected through qualitative in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, interviews, and life stories. All the data generated through the study were analyzed thematically. Results: The findings indicate that women who practice same-sex behavior believe that their behavior occurs naturally through biological reasons. Some of them attribute earlier negative experiences with men as a trigger to opt out of heterosexual sex. Most participants also cited past unpleasant sexual experiences with men such as rape, being emotionally detached from men as factors that lead to developing desires to have sex with fellow women. Conclusion: There are biological and social-economic factors that lead women to practice same-sex behaviors. Women, who are born with male attributes become sexually unattracted to males, opt to engage in same-sex practices because of displeasure from having sex with men. Further, economic hardships in societies force women to engage in same-sex practices through peers who are financially well-off and are searching for peers to exploit sexually. Research should focus on investigating peer influence and social media’s effects on women’s decision to engage in same sex practices.