Sexual Exploitation

Control and Abuse of Women and Girls’ Sexuality

The control and abuse of women and girls’ sexuality creates and maintains women’s oppression all over the world. Men hold the important decision making positions in all social, political and religious institutions that organize and control society. Through this institutional power, men construct culture, pass laws, and enact policies that serve their interests and give themselves the power to control women and children in public and private spheres. Men’s definition and control of female sexuality constructs and regulates women and girls’ sexual activity. Voluntary, as well as involuntary, violations of society’s man-made rules mark women as tainted and immoral, and bring dishonor to the family. Repression and Exploitation--Complementary Forms of Control and Abuse Repression and exploitation are different, but complementary, forms of control and abuse of female sexuality. Women and girls’ sexuality is repressed by strict control on sexual activity through such customs as female genital mutilation,