Labia elongation, sexual pleasure politics and women’s subjugation: Should children be involved?

Women’s bodies are viewed in feminist-legal studies as a site for politics and control. The public space largely dominated by men controls women’s bodily appearance, how the woman's body should appear, define what amounts to pleasurable bodies and what not (see 'Mini-skirts bill, penalties for prostitution, abortion & indecent dressing as an excuse for sexual violence et al).

Feminists however view eroticism as women’s resistance to oppressive ways men subjugate them in society. Well as certain traditions advocate for cutting off the labia as it makes sex pleasurable for women and consequently presumed infidelity, some cultures celebrate elongation (stretching) of the same to maximize pleasure for both men and women. Elongated labia I have learned is also called the ‘khoikhoi apron’. The practice is so revered by men and women in many parts of southern and eastern Africa. The purpose of stretching the labia (pulling in ‘okukyalira ensiko’) it is believed is to intensify sexual pleasure for both men and women. Some people apparently even find the elongated ‘lips’ attractive to view. 

This is so true because in the very infamous story of Saartjie Baartman-the South African woman documented to have been displayed in various European markets for her unique bottom and elongated labia. It is reported that her labia minora looked like a curtain (apron) or skin hanging from a turkey’s neck that hid her private parts. Studies about Saartjie state to the effect that she was such a spectacle to behold, many rich European men arranged for private viewing sessions. At her death, it is said Napoleon’s Surgeon General in the year 1815 cut off her elongated labia among other body parts and put them up for display in a museum in Paris’ Musée de l’Homme.

 It seems just like many people will tattoo their inner thighs with flowers or with art and while women in western countries do plastic surgeries to reduce the length of their labia minora to appeal to their sexual partners, so will some culturally leaning people stretch (pull) their labia minora to impress their sexual partners. 

Discussion of the practice of labia elongation is always considered taboo in many Uganda ‘public’ spaces and usually left to senior aunties ‘sengas’ in private commercialized bridal showers in parts of Kampala. Ugandan families practicing this tradition target girls just before they start menstruation at about the age of 8-14. 

Even though I am born not so far from central Uganda, I always heard of the practice in rumors. Growing up in a very religious home and through catholic institutions, we were made to understand that the whole practice of elongating the labia was ‘masturbation’ and therefore evil. This did not stop some determined girls from doing it though. Many girls had been made to believe this was their one-way ticket to getting husbands.

In my studies on women’s autonomy in Uganda, I have learned that that forcing girls to elongate their labia with the aim of pleasing their husbands is to take away from them the ability to decide if they should have sex, when they should have sex and why they should engage in sexual activity in the first place. Having autonomy over one’s body involves an individual making decisions as to what or how to deal with that body free of coercion. If force, coercion and lies are involved, then an individual’s autonomy is taken away.

In the case of children as is the case the Ugandan Minister is addressing, it tantamounts to child abuse. Children (anyone below the age of 18) cannot consent to sexual activity in Uganda and there are laws in place to protect them. Initiating them into sexual pleasure rituals would be to take from them their innocence, inquisitiveness and their human right to decide if that’s how they wish to please their future partners or even to decide if those are the kind of aesthetics they would wish to give/show to their sexual partners when th

e time to have sex comes. 

Elongated (pulled/stretched) labia minoras it is said is very sensitive to touch and therefore facilitates faster female orgasms and female ejaculations. If adult women decide to do it then I don’t see why the State should be involved – but if children are being forced and coerced into the practice, then the state should rightfully intervene to promote and protect their dignity, bodily autonomy and welfare.