Pleasure at a Price: When Cultural Aphrodisiac Practices Endanger Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health

Traditional medicine has been an integral part of African cultures for centuries. It encompasses a variety of practices, including herbal remedies, spiritual rituals, and other traditional healing methods. These practices are often passed down through generations and deeply embedded in many African communities' cultural fabric.

Photo Credit: Ryculture.org Be Brave! Embrace African Traditional Medicine

Cultural safety is a concept that emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds feel respected and safe. It acknowledges the power imbalances inherent in healthcare systems and strives to eliminate barriers to healthcare access. In the context of the African women, cultural safety is crucial in understanding their use of traditional medicine, particularly in intimate and personal matters.

Traditional Medicine and its Role in Sexual and Reproductive Health

Traditional medicine is not just a means of treating illnesses but also enhancing various aspects of their lives, including their intimate relationships.

The use of herbal concoctions, potions, and other traditional remedies to please men in bed is a practice observed in several communities and we now see it trending on social media.

Women tend to share various remedies such as “Isunko”. These remedies are believed to enhance sexual pleasure, vagnal tightening, body warmth, increase fertility, and strengthen the emotional bond between partners.

The Abuse of Traditional Medicine to Please Men

While traditional medicine can play a beneficial role, there are instances where its misuse or abuse can lead to negative outcomes. Many youths are victims, driven by societal and social media pressures and expectations, many resort to using potentially harmful traditional remedies to meet the perceived demands of their partners.

Women not only drink but stuff all kinds of herbs into their private parts for them to satisfy men while others believe it is a way of having a clean vagina.

This trend is observed not only among women but also among men who use sexual enhancers like Congo dust and Mwana apeluka to enhance their performance and impress their partners. However, the outcomes of using these substances often lead to significant and concerning side effects.

This abuse can manifest in several ways:

• Overuse and Dependency: Women may become dependent on traditional aphrodisiacs, believing that their natural sexual competence is insufficient to satisfy their partners. This can lead to overuse, resulting in physical and psychological harm.

In men, we have seen an increase in rape and defilement cases which has been attributed to the overuse of these herbs by men who try to relieve themselves on young girls or women without their consent.

• Unregulated Remedies: Traditional medicine often lacks standardization and regulation, leading to the use of unsafe substances. Some concoctions may contain toxic ingredients or be prepared in unhygienic conditions, posing serious health risks.

• Psychological Impact: The pressure to conform to traditional expectations of sexual performance can have a detrimental effect on women's mental health. They may experience anxiety, low self-esteem, and a sense of inadequacy if they fail to meet these standards while in men it leads to erectile dysfunction.

• Gender Dynamics and Power Imbalances: The emphasis on pleasing men in bed highlights significant gendered power dynamics and imbalances that often underpin intimate relationships.
  

In many cultures, women may feel a strong societal pressure to conform to expectations prioritizing male satisfaction and approval. This pressure can lead women to turn to traditional medicine or other means to fulfill these expectations, thereby maintaining their relationships. Such behaviors reflect deeper issues of gender inequality and take the gender equality movement aback undoing progress that has been achieved for women to take control of their sexuality.

Women may not feel empowered to negotiate the terms of their intimate relationships, including their sexual needs and desires. Instead, they might believe that their primary role is to ensure the happiness and satisfaction of their male partners, even at the expense of their well-being.

This dynamic can perpetuate a cycle of inequality, where women's worth and identity are closely tied to their ability to please men. It underscores the need for more comprehensive approaches to gender equality that empower women to assert their rights and agency in all aspects of their lives, including their intimate relationships.

Addressing these issues requires not only individual empowerment but also systemic changes that challenge and transform the societal norms and structures that sustain gender imbalances.

Addressing Cultural Safety Approach

Addressing the misuse of traditional medicine among women requires a culturally safe approach. This involves:

• Education and Awareness: Providing women with accurate information about traditional remedies' potential risks and benefits educating them on safe practices and encouraging open discussions about sexual health.

• Empowerment: Empowering women to make informed decisions about their bodies and relationships. This includes promoting gender equality and challenging harmful cultural norms that perpetuate the need to please men at the expense of women's health.

• Collaboration with Traditional Healers: Engaging with traditional healers to ensure that their practices are safe and beneficial. This can involve training and support to help them understand the risks associated with certain remedies.

• Inclusive Healthcare Systems: Integrating traditional medicine with modern healthcare systems in a way that respects cultural practices while ensuring safety and efficacy. This can help bridge the gap between traditional and modern medicine, providing women with comprehensive healthcare options.

The use of traditional aphrodisiac by African women to please men in bed is a complex issue rooted in cultural practices and societal expectations. While traditional medicine can offer valuable benefits, its misuse can lead to significant health risks and reinforce harmful gender dynamics. Adopting a culturally safe approach that respects and integrates traditional practices while promoting education, empowerment, and gender equality is essential in addressing this issue and ensuring the well-being of African women.

Written by Chomba Nyemba

edited by Hadassah Louis

Chomba Nyemba is an Advocacy Lead at Safety First for Girls (SAFIGI) Outreach Foundation. She champions bodily safety and cultural safety. Her area of focus in inclusion of person's living with disabilities and ensuring they attain holistic safety.