This archive report was first published on 26 October 2019.
Published on October 26, 2019, by Joan Thatiah, a renowned author, this article delves into the concept of vagina worship and its implications on women's empowerment.
The notion that a woman's vagina is the source of her power has been around since the 17th century in Ancient Greece, where it was used as part of exorcism ceremonies to ward off evil spirits.
However, this belief has been perpetuated in traditional African societies, where it's believed that a woman's ability to give life also gives her the power to take it away by baring her nakedness.
Such a curse, when cast, is believed to inflict madness, infertility, and even death, making it a powerful tool for female activists.
One notable incident in this region was in 2016 when Ugandan academic Dr. Stella Nyanzi stripped naked to protest the closing of her office at Makerere University.
While stripping naked in protest may not always yield the desired results, it carries powerful messages of frustration and bitterness.
However, I refuse to peg a woman's power and greatness on her lady parts, as this belief is untrue and holds women back.
By placing too much value on a woman's private parts, we've created a culture where girls are growing up hearing that their power lies in their vagina, rather than their intellectual or physical abilities.
Young women are losing valuable time and energy thinking of tricks to harness this power, when in reality, it's a big fat lie.
Conquering the world is not as easy as learning to use one's lady parts, and yet women have been the oppressed gender for so many years.
It's time to recognize the true value of women, beyond their sexuality and femininity, and to celebrate their many beautiful gifts and possessions.
