Prohibited Sexual Behavior and Sexual Violence

Sexual Violence: Mutilation of Female Sex Organs: Justifications

Obviously, the deliberate mutilation of female sex organs represents one of the worst forms of sexual violence against children. Nevertheless, it is still routinely performed in many countries today, and with a good conscience. Indeed, for the adults involved it is a cause for celebration. Parents gratefully pay highly respected elderly women from the community or even doctors and nurses to practice this cruel and debilitating form of “sexual child abuse” on their little daughters. Why?
Different cultures offer different answers to this question. For example, some say that the mutilation must be carried out because it is

- a traditional form of initiation into adulthood,
- a matter of hygiene,
- a mark of beauty,
- a symbol of chastity,
- a religious requirement,
- an economic necessity.

The following sections will briefly discuss these justifications.