VIRGINS AND THE QUESTION OF ABORTION: AN AFRICAN RELIGIO- PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This work explores the interconnectedness between virginity and abortion bearing in mind the African religio-philosophical perspective. While adopting the method of critical analysis, it avers that the question of virginity in traditional African culture has been eroded by the Western invasion of Africa. In traditional African society abortion was alien to the people as a result of the high value placed on virginity. This brings to question whether the brideprice of a virgin is higher than that of a non virgin and it also shows the extent to which a non virgin bride could boast in the presence of her husband. More specifically, the rate of abortion in contemporary African society is a neglect of the sacredness of life inherent in African culture and the traditional values in Africa such as virginity. Hence, it is argued in this work that to solve the problem of abortion there is need to keep an eye on the traditional view of virginity which is a sense of dignity, pride, and purity in traditional African culture. Through series of arguments and counter-arguments, this work submits and project the idea that virginity is a veritable tool and a bedrock for resolving the problem of abortion in contemporary society