Ruckus over virgin talks

THE fourth edition of a “hard-hitting” social cohesion dialogue focusing on virginity has come under fire from opposition parties and gender activists.

The dialogue was hosted by the eThekwini Parks, Recreation and Culture Department at Moses Mabhida Stadium last night.

DA councillor Nicole Graham said before the event that the government had no right to discuss women’s sexuality and Javu Baloyi of the Commission for Gender Equality said such dialogues were concerning and counterproductive.

Head of the department Thembinkosi Ngcobo said it was impossible for the government not to get involved in such matters because the cost of not getting involved was greater than remaining silent.

He said the cost of the event was R150 000 and his department took the lead as a custodian of culture and social cohesion.

In the invitation to the event, the municipality said the dialogue would explore how men and women who have heeded the call to remain virgins until marriage are sometimes ridiculed and pressured into “giving up their virginity” by their peers.

“When growing up, children are encouraged to look after themselves and not engage in activities that will have a negative impact on their lives and personal development.

“In churches and some homes, engaging in sexual intercourse before marriage is discouraged as this may results in some children being born out of wedlock, contracting HIV/Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases,” the statement read.

Graham criticised the dialogue, saying parks and recreation had seemingly forgotten its core mandate of looking after the city’s trees and parks.

“The DA is flabbergasted at the ridiculous ‘Social Cohesion’ conversation using public money to discuss women who have decided to be virgins over the age of 25, with three female panellists. There are no tangible benefits to ordinary eThekwini residents.

“No level of government has any role in discussing what adult women choose to do with their bodies.

“This is deeply problematic, and amounts to government interference in the sexual autonomy of women. There is no reason why female sexuality should be discussed by a government department, if it is to be discussed at all,” said Graham.

Predatory

She said, “If any conversation about women’s bodies should be had, it should be about making our city safer so as to avoid predatory criminals who are violating women sexually in increasing numbers.”

IFP leader Mdu Nkosi said he knew nothing about the dialogue.

Baloyi said such dialogues were concerning and put girl children, especially, under unnecessary pressure.

“This might also lead to the girls who are not virgins being outcast, as they would feel the others are better than them.

“We are not against culture. They should focus on developing young women and young men and teaching them about issues of socialisation,” he said.

Ngcobo said following reports that very young children, some in Grade 5, were falling pregnant, it was important to have such dialogues.

He said focusing on girls was not the government trying to control women’s bodies but emphasising their ability to make their own choice.

“The women on the panel are between the ages of 29 and 31. I am given to understand they have boyfriends who have been in sexual relationships before, but have told them they will not sleep with them.

“There are woman who are professionals and still virgins; this is about finding out how they did it,” he said.