Unmasking Virginity: The Lived Realities of Arab Women
Arab women are more than intact hymens.
We were having coffee on the balcony of a small café when a friend said,
“I know a lot of people who are undergoing hymenoplasty. They had sex but regret it, so they don’t want to feel judged by society. Do you think their decision is justifiable?”
This question itself provides an insight into the state of sexuality in the Arab region, where social and cultural norms dictate women’s social practices and social beliefs.
While virginity is merely a social construct, it is so embedded in the culture that it not only leads women to reconstruct their hymens to preserve their dignity in society but even fear for their lives.
By not talking about the lived realities of Arab women, we are keeping the issues hidden behind closed doors. Taboos are meant to be broken; and now, more than ever is the time to do so.
Defining Virginity
In Arab societies, virginity is perceived to define a woman’s integrity, purity, and innocence. But what is virginity? Although there’s no clear definition, it is generally referred to as the state of never having had sex.
