Prohibited Sexual Behavior and Sexual Violence

Sexual Violence: Mutilation of Female Sex Organs: Origin

Male circumcision in ancient Egypt (Painting, 3rd millenium BC)

It seems that the mutilation of sex organs originated in Egypt in the third millenium BC. In any case, we know that the ancient Hebrews adopted the practice of male circumcision from the Egyptians and, after their exodus from Egypt, made it a special mark of their tribe. However, some researchers do not believe in a particular place of origin, but think that the custom arose independently in many different regions. Thus, the original meaning and purpose of male circumcision remain unknown. It may have been a religious sacrifice, or a test of virility, i.e. the ability to endure pain, or it may have been designed as a male parallel to a girl’s first menstruation or to the breaking of her hymen.
As for the mutilation of female sex organs, the details of its origin are even less clear. However, there is evidence that it was practiced on women of the Egyptian ruling class in the first millenium BC. The operation may have been seen as a way of enhancing their magic powers. In any case, eventually the custom was adopted by other peoples in the region, and with the Arab conquest of Northern Africa it spread to other parts of the world. In recent times, African immigrants have brought it with them to the US and Europe where they ask doctors to perform the operation, thus presenting them with a dilemma: Their medical ethics do not allow them to proceed, but if they refuse, the mutilation will nevertheless be performed by some layperson. For this purpose, the parents may even send their little daughter on a “vacation” in their country of origin.