Virgin myths: origins and impact on sexual violence in Africa

Abstract

Humankind has been preoccupied with virginity for thousands of years. The notion of virginity is highly valued in many cultures since it is usually associated with sacredness and purity. However, society’s obsession with virginity has resulted in the emergence of several virgin or virginity-related superstitions many of which trigger severe violence against young females presumed to be virgins. Surprisingly, the concept and historical developments of virginity- related superstitions, and the extent to which such beliefs impact violence against young females in African communities, have not been sufficiently explored. Drawing on a wide range of relevant literature and media reports, the present study explores the concept and origins of two virginity related superstitions—virgin cleansing myth and virgin ritual myth, highlighting their cultural and historical meaning. It also offers a cursory overview of the extent to which these beliefs and practices impact violence, particularly sexual assault, against young females in sub-Saharan Africa. It shows that even though virgin-related superstitions contribute to child sexual abuse and the spread of venereal diseases in Africa, the exact extent to which they impact such crimes and violence is unknown due to the unavailability of national data sets and the paucity of empirical studies on the two phenomena.