Gendered socialization and sexual violence - A socio-anthropological study in Togo.

This article bases its argument on the social representations that justify sexual violence against adolescent girls and women and make it commonplace. It looks at the constructions of masculinity and femininity and their potential effects on the occurrence of sexual violence among adolescent girls. This is a socio-anthropological study carried out in the plateau regions of Togo. The empirical data came from individual semi-directive interviews (55), life stories (4) of adolescent rape victims and group interviews (40) with several stakeholders (adolescents, parents of adolescents, educators, community leaders and religious leaders). The results show that despite the efforts of the State and non-governmental organisations, local sexuality logics often have an impact on the persistence of sexual violence. (.

Cet article fonde son argumentaire sur les représentations sociales qui justifient et rendent ordinaires les violences sexuelles sur les adolescentes et les femmes. Il appréhende les constructions de la masculinité et de la féminité et leurs effets potentiels sur la survenue des violences sexuelles chez les adolescentes. Il s'agit d'une étude socio-anthropologique réalisée dans la région des plateaux au Togo. Les données empiriques proviennent d'entretiens individuels semi-directifs (55), des histoires de vie (4) d'adolescentes victimes de viol et des entretiens de groupes (40) avec plusieurs acteurs (adolescent(e)s, parents d'adolescent(e)s, éducateurs, leaders communautaires et leaders religieux). Les résultats révèlent que, malgré les efforts des acteurs de l'Etat et des Organisations Non Gouvernementales, les logiques locales de la sexualité ont souvent des incidences sur la persistance des violences sexuelles.

Gender socialization and adolescent pregnancies in Togo.

The aim of this article is to understand the significance of the gender socialisation of adolescents and its impact on sexuality. This socio-anthropological study is based on qualitative surveys conducted as part of two action-research programmes implemented between 2018 and 2022 in Togo. The empirical data comes from individual semi-directed interviews, group interviews and life stories relating to the themes of sexuality, early pregnancy and gender-based violence. The results show that in these patriarchal societies, the socialisation of adolescents is structured around gender relations. The social construction of masculinity is based on a position of decision-making power for young boys, while that of femininity inculcates submissive behaviour in young girls. In these contexts, many young girls, even if they do attend school, find it difficult to express their opinions on matters of love and sex.

L'objectif de cet article consiste à appréhender la prégnance de la socialisation des adolescents.es et son impact sur la sexualité. Cette étude socio-anthropologique s'appuie sur des enquêtes qualitatives conduites dans le cadre de deux programmes de recherche action mis en œuvre entre 2018 à 2022 au Togo. Les données empiriques sont issues d'entretiens individuels semi-directifs, d'entretiens de groupes et de récits de vie relatifs aux thèmes de la sexualité, des grossesses précoces et des violences basées sur le genre. Les résultats indiquent que dans ces sociétés patriarcales, la socialisation des adolescents.es est structurée sur des rapports de genre. La construction sociale de la masculinité s'établit sur une position de pouvoir de décision des jeunes garçons tandis que celle de la féminité inculque aux jeunes filles des conduites de soumission. Dans ces contextes, de nombreuses jeunes filles, bien que scolarisées éprouvent des difficultés à exprimer leurs avis sur les questions amoureuses et sexuelles.

Consistent Condom Use during Casual Sex among Long-Truck Drivers in Togo.

BACKGROUND: In 2008, the proportion of truck drivers who were not systematically protected during sex was 63% with casual partners and 60% with sex workers. Despite the high level of knowledge on HIV/AIDS and the growing awareness of the existence of the risk of HIV infection, condom use always encounters resistance among truck drivers in Togo. We sought to document the factors associated with condom use during casual sex among trucks' drivers in Togo. METHODS: This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted in 2010 and targeted truckers at truck station on the two main roads of Togo, Lomé-Cinkassé and Kodjoviakopé-Sanvee Condji. RESULTS: In this study, 1,782 trucks' drivers and their helpers were interviewed. All were men, and their mean age was 28.8 ± 8.8 years. Trucks' drivers were doing an average of 3 stops on their journeys and 1,229 (69%) of them had at least two years of experience in the work. Of the 1,782 trucks' drivers, only 620 (34.8%) had consistently used condoms during casual sex in the last three months. In multivariate analysis, predictors were: education level (primary schooling: OR = 1.54; p = 0.002; Secondary schooling and higher OR = 1.38; p = 0.036), good knowledge of ways of HIV transmission (OR = 1.53; p = 0.000), tested for HIV (OR = 1.67, p = 0.000), duration in the profession (2-5 years: OR = 1.43, p = 0.008; more than 5 years: OR = 1.38, p = 0.027), and HIV risk's perception (OR = 1.44, p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: These results highlight factors associated with consistent condom use during casual sex by truck drivers in Togo. This is a key population group at high risk of HIV transmission toward which the national HIV/AIDS control program should strengthen the HIV prevention strategies.

[Perception of HIV infection prevention messages by truck drivers in Togo with respect to the <> billboard]. / Perception des messages de prévention de l'infection à VIH chez les chauffeurs routiers au Togo: cas du panneau d'affichage <>.

BACKGROUND: Togo is one of the West African countries in which HIV prevalence remains high in the general population. Several HIV prevention interventions have targeted truck drivers. The purpose of this study was to describe and analyse the perceptions of truck drivers with respect to the HIVprevention message of the <> billboard. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted among truck drivers at "Terminal du Sahel" in Lomé in May 2013 in French and sometimes in a local language. The data generated by this survey were submitted to qualitative analysis. RESULTS: A total of 24 truck drivers were interviewed. They had already heard about HIV/AIDS and were able to list various modes of HIV transmission and various ways of protecting oneselffrom HIV However, they had a poor perception of the risk of contracting HIV infection. Although all participants had seen the "Roulez Protégé" billboard several times in various places, it made them feelguilty, as itsuggested that they were responsiblefor spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Truck drivers had a poor understanding of the message expressed by this billboard. CONCLUSION: In Togo, truck drivers constitute a group at high risk of HIV in which prevention interventions must be intensified.