Hindrance of women’s sexual behaviour

Chastity is the norm of premarital sexuality among most of the social groups in Mali. It is perceived as the result of a good family upbringing, which fostered obe­dience to ethical norms and strengthened individual value systems. Girls’ virginity is a source of respectability because it proves self-mastery, maturity and decency. That is why virgin brides receive generous gifts (gold, cows or money) for their achievement and the honour that it brings to their family. However, the impor­tance attached to girls’ virginity no longer corresponds to disgrace and social ex­clusion that were traditionally the punishments held in reserve for girls who are sexually active prior to their wedding. As elsewhere in Africa, there are currently more exceptions to the rule than compliance with the normative sexual absti­nence before marriage (Locoh 1996). Interestingly, the ascribed codes of conduct persist despite extreme changes in individual sexual behaviour.