Virginity proof might be tricky
Dec 20, 2009
EDITOR—On December 14, The New Vision reported that the Mityana Anglican Diocese Bishop, Dr Samuel Stephen Kazimba, has established a scheme to reward youth who get married when they are still virgins.
EDITOR—On December 14, The New Vision reported that the Mityana Anglican Diocese Bishop, Dr Samuel Stephen Kazimba, has established a scheme to reward youth who get married when they are still virgins.
A prize of sh100,000 has been offered for any girls that fulfil the condition.
He is said to have cited the example of the Virgin Mary who, he said, led a model life that others should emulate.
The aim is to protect the youth from HIV infection and one should add—what is often forgotten—from other sexually transmitted infections.
The prize is certainly wellintentioned and there is every reason to encourage the youth to keep their virginity till marriage.
It would appear, though, that there is a big patriarchal ring around this prize, as it targets girls, not boys.
There is also the small practical problem of a girl having to prove her virginity.
Will they institute virginity tests or get the girl to provide a medical certificate of some kind? And another matter, where does that leave the girls who lose their hymen, not from sexual encounter, but through some other activity, such as sports or cycling?
Lastly, the emulation of the Virgin Mary is interesting considering that she got pregnant before marriage.
Are we domesticating or adapting Mary to our own cultural traditions?
- Rev Amos Kasibante
United Kingdom
A prize of sh100,000 has been offered for any girls that fulfil the condition.
He is said to have cited the example of the Virgin Mary who, he said, led a model life that others should emulate.
The aim is to protect the youth from HIV infection and one should add—what is often forgotten—from other sexually transmitted infections.
The prize is certainly wellintentioned and there is every reason to encourage the youth to keep their virginity till marriage.
It would appear, though, that there is a big patriarchal ring around this prize, as it targets girls, not boys.
There is also the small practical problem of a girl having to prove her virginity.
Will they institute virginity tests or get the girl to provide a medical certificate of some kind? And another matter, where does that leave the girls who lose their hymen, not from sexual encounter, but through some other activity, such as sports or cycling?
Lastly, the emulation of the Virgin Mary is interesting considering that she got pregnant before marriage.
Are we domesticating or adapting Mary to our own cultural traditions?
- Rev Amos Kasibante
United Kingdom