Sexuality Education in Schools for Learners with Intellectual Disabilities in Kenya: Empowerment or Disempowerment?

This paper reports on the nature of sexuality education offered to learners with intellectual disabilities in Nairobi, Kenya. Data was gathered using focus group interviews with 56 learners with mild intellectual disabilities in the age range of 16-22 years. It was supplemented by group interviews with teachers and individual interviews with two head teachers and three deputy head teachers. Interviews were tape-recorded with participants' permission and thematically analysed. The findings are presented in three themes: (a) sources of information on sexuality-related issues; (b) sexuality education content; and (c) suggestions for strengthening the current sexuality education programs for the group in question. The paper concludes that sexuality content offered for adolescents with intellectual disabilities is not empowering, it perpetuates their marginalization in society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]