Prohibited Sexual Behavior and Sexual Violence

Sexual Violence: Mutilation of Female Sex Organs: Forms: Infibulation 3

In addition to the physical problems already mentioned, surgically mutilated females also suffer damage to their mental and sexual health. They may develop sleep and eating disorders and depressions. They may also find it hard to concentrate and may therefore lose interest in school. This, in turn, reduces their chances of improving their lot and leading self-determined lives.
As for their sexual health, the consequences are different for different females. Some women continue to feel pain during vaginal sexual intercourse and therefore try to avoid it; others are able to feel sexual pleasure. Some women cannot forget the experience of mutilation and therefore develop a negative attitude toward all sexual activity; others are able to overcome their psychological trauma. Much depends on the circumstances of the individual case. In purely physical terms, if the vagina itself is still intact, the damage may be less serious than one might suspect. After all, the greater part of the clitoris lies inside the body and continues to function as a pleasure organ, even if its glans has been removed.