Understanding and Challenging Stigma toward ... - Pact Cambodia

B1
Breaking the Sex Taboo
Example Responses:
The examples below are not the required answers, and you are not expected to read them
out loud. They are included to illustrate the type of responses expected and can help you
identify issues you may want to raise, if they are not raised by participants. However, you
should let each group come up with their own ideas. Remember: there are no right and
wrong answers.
First thoughts when we hear the word “sexual intercourse”
Fun. Exciting. Pleasure. Pain. Exercise. Love. Shame. Sin. Dirty. Embarrassing.
Aroused. Feelings. Having babies. Fear of HIV. Condoms. Man and woman. Man
and man. Rape. Violence.
Why is it difficult to talk about sexual intercourse?
Sex is a secret. Sex is a taboo subject. Sex is shameful; the word is insulting.
We are shy to talk about sex because due to our cultural norms, we normally don’t
talk about it in public. If we do, others will stigmatize or blame us.
Social norms around sexual intercourse
Sex is acceptable only if it is between man and woman. Sex between two men is
“wrong.”
Sex is only acceptable between people who are married and with the aim of
producing babies.
Good women do not say they enjoy sex. If they did, they would be stigmatized
(shamed).
Men/husbands decide when and how to have sex. If the wife says no, this will
lead to violence. She does not initiate sex.
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