Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on the process of transformation of the Kikuyu society from the pre-colonial, through colonial to post-colonial periods and discusses its impact on women, and women’s group productive and reproductive activities. It examines the internal structure and characteristics of women’s groups and their pattern of change. The book deals with specific programmes through which governments and various other agencies attempt to regulate and control sex and reproduction. It reviews and discusses the case of family planning programmes in Sub-Sahara Africa. The book indicates that family planning programmes failed largely because of lack of consideration of local contexts and realities. It focuses on the AIDS crisis in Sub-Sahara Africa suggesting the inability of development agencies, to draw from previous experiences and mistakes.