Sexuality refers to the ways in which people experience, express and understand sexual identity, desire, relationships and gendered behaviour. In the study of women and political processes, sexuality is not merely a private or personal matter; it is closely connected with power, social norms, rights, citizenship and political participation. Debates on sexuality therefore examine how societies regulate bodies and sexual behaviour, and how such regulation affects women and marginalized groups. One major debate concerns the relationship between sexuality and patriarchy. Patriarchal societies have historically attempted to control women’s sexuality through norms relating to marriage, chastity, virginity, reproduction and family honour. Women are often expected to conform to socially approved forms of sexuality, while men may receive greater sexual freedom. For example, restrictions on women’s mobility, dress and relationships are frequently justified in the name of family honour. Feminist scholars argue that such practices limit women’s autonomy and reinforce unequal power relations. Another important debate is whether sexuality should be regarded as a private matter or a political issue. The feminist slogan “the personal is political” challenged the idea that issues such as sexual violence, marital relations, reproductive choices and sexual harassment belong only to the private sphere. For example, rape and domestic violence were historically treated as family or