“Concerning” level of sexual assault reported by adolescent girls in age-gap relationships in Rwanda

Research in Rwanda into experiences of first-time sex has found that sexual assault was 60% higher among adolescent girls whose first partner was older, compared with girls whose first partner was a similar age. 

What is the research about? 

Age-gap relationships (also known as ‘age disparate’ relationships). This is when there is at least a five-year age gap between partners. The study looked at whether being in an age-gap relationship affects adolescents’ experiences of first-time sex and who controls contraceptive choices. Researchers assessed survey data collected in 2022 for a digital sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education trial. The trial involved around 5,700 adolescents (ages 12 to 19) in Rwanda.  

Why is this research important? 

Age-gap relationships put adolescent girls at higher risk of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Evidence also suggests that females in age-gap relationships are less likely to use contraception and are more likely to have an unintended pregnancy. But few studies in sub-Saharan Africa have looked at age-gap relationships in relation to first-time sex. 

What did they find out? 

Around 20% of the adolescents surveyed reported having sex at least once. This equates to around 1,300 adolescents out of 5,700. Two-thirds were male. 

Most sexually active adolescent girls reported that their first sexual partner was a similar age. But 23% reported first having sex with an older partner. In contrast, only 4% of adolescent boys first had sex with an older partner.  

Adolescent girls were an average age of 14 the first time they had sex. Adolescent girls with an older partner were around 8 to 9 years younger than their partner the first time they had sex. 

More than 40% of sexually active adolescent girls said they were “not at all willing” the first time they had sex. This is compared to 13% of adolescent boys. Adolescent girls whose partner was older were much more likely to report this. Experiencing sexual assault at first-time sex was 60% higher among adolescent girls with an older partner, compared to adolescent girls with a similar aged partner. 

Only 25% of sexually active adolescent girls reported having sex more than once. Around one third of those with an older first-time partner and one quarter of those with a similar aged partner reported this.  

Most sexually active adolescent girls (86%) had only had one sexual partner. This equates to 77% with an older first-time partner and 89% with a similar aged partner at first sex. 

Despite the high level of sexual assault at first-time sex, no link was found between being in an age-gap relationship at first sex and having the power to make decisions over contraception, pregnancy and child-bearing. These findings are different from previous studies.  

What does this mean for HIV services? 

Consent, sexual coercion and sexual assault should be addressed before adolescents are in situations where they might have sex. This should apply to both girls and boys. If you work with adolescents there are lots of resources on Be In The KNOW that can help you with this. 

The lack of link between having an older first-time partner and having the power to make contraceptive choices suggests that some adolescent girls may have control over contraception for at least the first few years of having sex. But it would be useful to collect data on the longer-term impact of age-gap relationships on contraceptive choices. 

It is important to consider that adolescents girls may have experienced sexual coercion or sexual violence and provide relevant support. Especially to those in age-gap relationships.