Labia stretching

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Labia stretching, also referred to as labia elongation or labia pulling, is the act of lengthening the labia minora (the inner lips of the female genitals) through manual manipulation (pulling) or physical equipment (such as weights). [1] It is a familial cultural practice in parts of Eastern and Southern Africa, [2] and a body modification practice elsewhere. It is performed for sexual enhancement for the benefit of both partners, aesthetics, symmetry and gratification. [1]

Contents

The labia and the whole vulva differ in size, shape, and colour from one person to another. In that labia stretching is attempting to change this body part to fit an ideal, and that it is often done by older women to girls, it has been compared to female genital mutilation (FGM) and child abuse. [3]

Benefits, drawbacks, and medical issues

Elongated labia are perceived to facilitate orgasm and female ejaculation, and are considered to enhance sexual pleasure for both partners. [1] Women who have unequally long labia may increase the size of the shorter to achieve symmetry. They also swell inwards, partially blocking the entrance to the vagina.

Some writers have asserted that labia stretching may reduce rates of HIV infection. [4]

One review concluded: [5]

... that pain at the beginning of the practice, nuisances related to the use of caustic herbs, and stigmatization in failing to comply with the practice are the principal health risks associated with LME [labia minora elongation]. At the same time, there is evidence that labial elongation may benefit the sexual health and well-being of women.

The opposite of labia stretching is labia reduction or labiaplasty, which is performed as a surgical procedure for women whose genitals cause them discomfort or pain, [6] or for aesthetic reasons.

Controversy and legality

Although the World Health Organization previously included labial stretching within the context of "mutilation" (see Genital modification and mutilation), the negative context of that was not supported by the research of Marian Koster MSc and Dr. Lisa Price of Wageningen University, Netherlands. This led the WHO to schedule amending their treatment of it, perhaps as "modification" instead, in February 2008. [2] [7]

The practice of labial stretching does not violate women's rights, in that it does not involve physical violence, unless the woman is misled as to the benefits of the practice. However, it may be contrary to African customary law and rights of women if it is in conflict with public policy. [7]

Girls usually start to stretch their labia from ages 8 to 14, before menarche. [8] Children in the African diaspora practise this too, so it occurs within immigrant communities in, for example, Britain, where a BBC report labelled it a hidden form of child abuse. [3] The girls are subject to familial and social pressure to conform. [9]

Historic context

The early recordings of the results of the practice are perhaps among the Khoisan peoples of southern Africa, where the inner labia were seen to be several centimeters longer than the outer labia.[ citation needed ] When Captain James Cook reached Cape Town in 1771, towards the end of his first voyage, he acknowledged being "very desirous to determine the great question among natural historians, whether the women of this country have or have not that fleshy flap or apron which has been called the Sinus pudoris"; eventually a physician described treating patients with labia ranging from 1.3 to 7.6 or 10.2 centimetres (1⁄2 to 3 or 4 in). [10]

In Eastern Africa, Monica Wilson recorded the custom through her fieldwork with the Nyakyusa people in the 1930s, and in Southern Africa Isaac Schapera worked with the Nama people, the largest group amongst the Khoikhoi, early in the 20th century, [11] publishing The Khoisan Peoples of South Africa in 1930, in which he documents labia stretching.

Rwanda

In Rwandan culture, female family members teach girls at puberty how to pull their labia to lengthen them (gukuna, "pull", imishino "labia" in Kinyarwanda language), using local medicinal flora to ease the process. Women continue the practice into adulthood and through marriage. [1] The most important aspect of gukuna imishino, which may begin about the age of 10, is to assist the couple to perform the sexual practice of kunyaza , in which the sexual satisfaction of the woman comes before that of the man. [12]

Uganda

Labia elongation is something that every girl who has grown up on Ugandan terrain has at least heard about. Others have experienced it, complete with its joys and pains, while for many it is a mystery they can only imagine. Some men have heard of it too, and others have gone beyond the doors of these protected waters. Some people cherish it with their entire being, while others could not care at all about a matter so trivial. Another section of the community downrightly abhors elongated labia.

— Patience Akumu, The Observer (Uganda), 2010 [13]

Some human rights activists in the country, including feminist scholar Sylvia Tamale, support labia stretching. [13]

Zambia

According to a report in the Global Press Journal , labia stretching is common in Zambia, but such a social taboo that it is rarely discussed. It is defended by traditional marriage counsellors and challenged by feminist activists. [14]

Wala Nalungwe, a feminist and activist, says that powerful, cultural figures – such as marriage counselors and family matriarchs – unfairly pressure young women to stretch their labia. ... even older women do not understand why they pull their labia, she says. They manufacture false reasons to support the practice, scaring girls into pulling. ... The practice of labia stretching denies women and girls autonomy over their bodies and sexuality, she says. ... "It is unfair that girls and young women are taught to pull their labia minora for the sexual gratification of their male partners, not for their own sexual fulfillment." [14]

South Pacific

Labia modification is documented as having existed in cultures outside Africa, particularly in the South Pacific. [11] Robert Carl Suggs wrote about it in 1966 regarding the culture of the Marquesas Islands. [15]

Scholars link labial elongation with genital tattooing. [16] Elsdon Best wrote about the Maori (published in 1924, but apparently referring to a historical custom he had not witnessed himself): "Women were occasionally tattooed on the private parts, and this was a custom among Fijian women. It was alluded to as a tara whakairo." [17] Belgian missionary Gustaaf Hulstaert [18] wrote about genital tattooing in 1938 in Le mariage des Nkundó, about the Mongo people of the Congo: "Both women and men wear tattoos, but it is more common among women. For women, it is considered more sexual and often located near the sex organs." [19]

Quoted on the overview of the Mongo people by the Database for Indigenous Cultural Evolution at the University of Missouri. Bronisław Malinowski wrote about the Trobriand Islands in The Sexual Life of Savages in North-Western Melanesia : [20]

The body, as distinguished from the face, is very seldom painted, and no tattoo markings are ever visible. I am told that girls at the time of their first menstruation are tattooed round the vagina. This tattooing is called ki'uki'u, and is done, according to my informants, for aesthetic purposes.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Female genital mutilation</span> Ritual cutting or removal of some or all of the vulva

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the cutting or removal of some or all of the vulva for non-medical reasons. FGM prevalence varies worldwide, but is majorly present in some countries of Africa, Asia and Middle East, and within their diasporas. As of 2024, UNICEF estimates that worldwide 230 million girls and women had been subjected to one or more types of FGM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Labia minora</span> Flaps of skin on either side of the vaginal opening in the vulva

The labia minora, also known as the inner labia, inner lips, or nymphae, are two flaps of skin that are part of the primate vulva, extending outwards from the inner vaginal and urethral openings to encompass the vestibule. At the glans clitoris, each labium splits, above forming the clitoral hood, and below the frenulum of the clitoris. At the bottom, the labia meet at the labial commissure. The labia minora vary widely in size, color and shape from individual to individual.

Genital modifications are forms of body modifications applied to the human sexual organs. When there's cutting involved, genital cutting or surgery can be used. The term genital enhancement seem to be generally used for genital modifications that modify the external aspect, the way the patient wants it. The term genital mutilation is used for genital modifications that drastically diminish the recipient's quality of life and result in adverse health outcomes, whether physical or mental.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clitoral hood</span> Part of the vulva that covers and protects the glans of the clitoris

In female humans and other mammals, the clitoral hood is a fold of skin that surrounds and protects the glans of the clitoris; it also covers the external clitoral shaft, develops as part of the labia minora and is homologous with the foreskin in the male reproductive system. The clitoral hood is composed of mucocutaneous tissues; these tissues are between the mucous membrane and the skin, and they may have immunological importance because they may be a point of entry of mucosal vaccines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mons pubis</span> Rounded mass of fatty tissue found over the pubic symphysis

In human anatomy, and in mammals in general, the mons pubis or pubic mound is a rounded mass of fatty tissue found over the pubic symphysis of the pubic bones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genital piercing</span> Form of body piercing on a part of the genitalia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Female reproductive system</span> Reproductive system of female humans

The human female reproductive system is made up of the internal and external sex organs that function in the reproduction of new offspring. The reproductive system is immature at birth and develops at puberty to be able to release matured ova from the ovaries, facilitate their fertilization, and create a protective environment for the developing fetus during pregnancy. The female reproductive tract is made of several connected internal sex organs—the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes—and is prone to infections. The vagina allows for sexual intercourse, and is connected to the uterus at the cervix. The uterus accommodates the embryo by developing the uterine lining.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Labia</span> Parts of the vulva

The labia are the major externally visible structures of the vulva. In humans and other primates, there are two pairs of labia: the labia majora are large and thick folds of skin that cover the vulva's other parts, while the labia minora are the folds of skin between the outer labia that surround and protect the urethral and vaginal openings, as well as the glans clitoris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Labiaplasty</span> Plastic surgery procedure for altering the labia minora

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Elongated labia is a feature of certain Khoekhoe and other African women who develop, whether naturally or through artificial stretching, relatively elongated labia minora, which may hang up to 10 centimetres (4 in) outside the rest of the vulva when they are standing in an upright position.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clitoral hood reduction</span> Cosmetic surgical procedure

Clitoral hood reduction, also termed clitoral hoodectomy, clitoral unhooding, clitoridotomy, or (partial) hoodectomy, is a plastic surgery procedure for reducing the size and the area of the clitoral hood in order to further expose the glans of the clitoris.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vulva</span> External genitalia of the female mammal

In mammals, the vulva comprises mostly external, visible structures of the female genitalia leading into the interior of the female reproductive tract. For humans, it includes the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule, urinary meatus, vaginal introitus, hymen, and openings of the vestibular glands. The folds of the outer and inner labia provide a double layer of protection for the vagina. Pelvic floor muscles support the structures of the vulva. Other muscles of the urogenital triangle also give support.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vulva activism</span> A feminist movement

Vulva activism is the promotion of a raised awareness of the appearance of female genitalia and the breaking of taboos surrounding the vulva, as carried out by feminist movements and advocacy groups. Other names for this advocacy movement are labia pride, labia liberation, vulvaversity, viva la vulva, pussy positivity and similar. It is supported by several independent feminist groups and based on diverse channels of communication such as cyberfeminism, protest marches and advocating boycotts against physicians and clinics that make use of deceptive advertising.

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Female genital mutilation in Sierra Leone is the common practice of removing all or part of the female's genitalia for cultural and religious initiation purposes, or as a custom to prepare them for marriage. Sierra Leone is one of 28 countries in Africa where female genital mutilation (FGM) is known to be practiced and one of few that has not banned it. It is widespread in part due to it being an initiation rite into the "Bondo," though initiation rite-related FGM was criminalised in 2019. The type most commonly practised in Sierra Leone is Type IIb, removal of part or all of the clitoris and the labia minora. As of 2013, it had a prevalence of 89.6%.

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Lebollo la basadi also known as female initiation among the Basotho is a rite of passage ritual which marks the transition of girls into womanhood. This activity is still practiced in the Free State, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal provinces of South Africa. In Sesotho, lebollo means initiation. The Basotho rite of passage ritual, unlike other practices in Africa, does not involve procedures which remove parts of the female genital organ. However, the inner folds of the labia are enlarged and elongated by stretching for a more pleasurable sexual experience. In areas where initiation is still valued, uninitiated girls are ridiculed by society.

Khadija Gbla is an Australian feminist and human rights activist She works as a cultural consultant, a keynote speaker and an anti- female genital mutilation (FGM) campaigner, based in South Australia. She founded the advocacy organisation No FGM Australia, which works to stamp out the practice.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Rwandan Women View The Elongation Of Their Labia As Positive", retrieved on 18 June 2008
  2. 1 2 "Sexual health—a new focus for WHO" (PDF). Progress in Reproductive Health Research (67). World health Organization: 6. 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 February 2005.
  3. 1 2 "Labia stretching: Why some British girls are told to do it". BBC News. BBC. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  4. ↑ "Cultural Practices in Namibia Hinder HIV Prevention, Group Says". Kaiser Health News. 11 June 2009. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  5. ↑ Pérez, Guillermo Martínez; Tomás Aznar, Concepción; Bagnol, Brigitte (14 July 2014). "Labia Minora Elongation and its Implications on the Health of Women: A Systematic Review". International Journal of Sexual Health. 26 (3): 155–171. doi:10.1080/19317611.2013.851139. S2CID   72132133.
  6. ↑ "Intimate Operations: OB-GYN Organization Issues Warning". ABC News. 31 August 2007. Archived from the original on 30 June 2008. Retrieved 22 June 2008.
  7. 1 2 Kaoma Mwenda, Kenneth (December 2006). "Labia Elongation under African Customary Law: A Violation of Women's Rights?". The International Journal of Human Rights. 10 (4): 341–357. doi:10.1080/13642980600976369. S2CID   219643763.
  8. ↑ Pérez, Guillermo Martínez; Tomás Aznar, Concepción; Bagnol, Brigitte (14 July 2014). "Labia Minora Elongation and its Implications on the Health of Women: A Systematic Review". International Journal of Sexual Health. 26 (3): 155–171. doi:10.1080/19317611.2013.851139. S2CID   72132133.
  9. ↑ Akumu, Patience (16 June 2010). "Labia elongation: Invaluable culture or dangerous practice?". The Observer – Uganda. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  10. ↑ Cook, James (1846). The Voyages of Captain James Cook: With an Appendix, Giving an Account of the Present Condition of the South Sea Islands, &c. William Smith. p. 327. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  11. 1 2 Paige, Jeffery M.; Paige, Karen Ericksen (1981). The politics of reproductive ritual. Berkeley: University of California Press. p.  81. ISBN   9780520047822.
  12. ↑ Barrett, Barbara Ann; Groes-Green, Christian (2011). Studying Intimate Matters: Engaging Methodological Challenges in Studies on Gender, Sexuality and Reproductive Health in Sub-Saharan Africa. Christian Groes-Green. ISBN   9789970251308.
  13. 1 2 Akumu, Patience. "Labia elongation: Invaluable culture or dangerous practice?". The Observer – Uganda. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  14. 1 2 Katongo, Chanda (30 July 2013). "Zambian Girls Stretch Labia to Avoid Infidelity". Global Press Journal. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  15. ↑ Robert Suggs, Marquesan Sexual Behavior [New York: Harcourt, Brace and World, 1966], pp. 39–42, as quoted in Paige, above.
  16. ↑ Paige, Jeffery M.; Paige, Karen Ericksen (1981). The politics of reproductive ritual. Berkeley: University of California Press. p.  81. ISBN   9780520047822. Young women among the Marquesans (Robert Suggs, Marquesan Sexual Behavior [New York: Harcourt, Brace and World, 1966], pp. 39-42), Nyakyusa (Monica Wilson, Rituals of Kinship Among the Nyakyusa [London: Oxford University Press, 1957], p. 87), and Nama (Schapera, Khoisan Peoples, p. 243) are encouraged throughout childhood to practise elongating the outer [sic] labia. Young women among the Maori (Elsdon Best, The Maori [Wellington, New Zealand: Polynesian Society, 1941], II, 557), Mongo (Gustave-E. Hulstaert, "Le mariage des Nkundó," Institut Royal Colonial Beige, Mémoires 8 [1938]: 60), and Trobrianders (Bronislaw Malinowski, The Sexual Life of Savages [New York: Harcourt, Brace and World, 1929] p. 305) design special tattoo markings along the labia.
  17. ↑ "XX – Personal Adornment". THE MAORI – VOLUME II. p. 557. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  18. ↑ Harries, Patrick; Maxwell, David (2012). The Spiritual in the Secular: Missionaries and Knowledge about Africa. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. ISBN   9781467435857.
  19. ↑ Hulstaert, Gustave E. (1938). "Marriage among the Nkundu" (PDF). Translated by Vizedom, Monika B. Bruxelles: Librairie Falk fils, Georges Van Campenhout, Successeur. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 August 2019.
  20. ↑ Malinowski, Bronislaw (1929). The sexual life of savages in north-western Melanesia; an ethnographic account of courtship, marriage and family life among the natives of the Trobriand Islands, British New Guinea. New York, Eugenics Pub. Co. p. 305. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
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