Sexual Experiences and the Psychosexual Effect of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or Female Circumcision (FC) on Sudanese Women

Authors

  • Ahmed Abdel Magied School Of Family Sciences and editor of Ahfad Journal, published by the Ahfad University For Women, Omdurman, Sudan.
  • Suad Musa Ahmed

Keywords:

Female Genital Mutilation, Female sexuality, Female circumcision, Sudan

Abstract

The most serious traditional practice of FGM/FC should be considered and dealt with as a synonym for an endemic, epidemic and fatal disease specific to girls and women. Despite the over two decades of anti-FGM/FC efforts, the prevalence of FGM/FC in Sudan is escalating. Many research gaps have to be bridged for the identification of effective interventions, yet the topic is under researched in the Sudan.The findings of our study show that the majority (69%) of respondents had fearful and painful expectations of their first sexual intercourse after hearing negative stories from pharaonically mutilated elders. Sometime after the first sexual experience, 77% of the respondents enjoyed sex as pleasurable. Nonetheless, a good number of the respondents continue to live with the trauma of the experience.Although the majority (77%) of respondents reach orgasm, some 6% have never reached orgasm in their sexual life. Nineteen percent (19%) of the respondents who are pharonically circumcised also seem to be deprived of the four phases of sexuality, experiencing frustrations and psychological disorders as a result.The main recommendations include the enactment of laws prohibiting FGM/FC and penalizing circumcisers and those who contribute to the act. The inculcation of sex education in schools and other institutions curricula was also recommended. In-depth research on the investigated topic is highly recommended.

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Published

2003-01-01

Issue

Feminist Knowledge Network Special Issue 1 -- International Feminist Perspectives: Women and Violence

Section

Original Research

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