Fear of African Wombs. Birth Control in Colonial Eritrea (1882-1952)

The historical narrative of birth control unfolds as a poignant aspect of colonial engagement with Africa. This article explores the impact of European anxieties about African popula-tion dynamics and how these concerns shaped birth control policies across colonial Africa. By examining Eritrea under Italian colonial rule (1882-1941) and British administration (1941-1952), where the imperative was to control Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and maintain racial prestige without sacrificing domestic and sexual comforts, the study highlights their influence on the exposure, knowledge, and adoption of modern contracep-tive methods. Thus, the article attempts to provide a history of pioneering women in urban settings and discusses how the colonial encounter changed their attitudes towards STD pro-phylaxis, sexual behaviours, and birth control options.