Vulvanomics: Awareness campaign (Kitchener)

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What: Peaceful Awareness Campaign to challenge the growing genital cosmetic surgery industry
Where: Outside Kitchener City Hall, Kitchener ON
When: Saturday, November 19th from 2:30-3:30pm

Come join women who are challenging the medicalization of sex and women’s bodies. The natural diversity of women's genitalia will be celebrated in an effort to raise awareness and challenge the growing labiaplasty industry (a form of female genital cosmetic surgery) that presents an ideal of the vulva that is socially constructed.

SOME BACKGROUND REGARDING THIS ISSUE
· There is a growing prevalence of cosmetic surgery in young women (aged 13 to 19) in North America, with a marked an increase in 'voluntary' genital cosmetic procedures.
· There is no medical definition regarding what a "real/natural" labia should look like. Media suggest otherwise. Now plastic surgeons are advertising in such a way that suggests there is an ideal labia out there to be obtained (purchased!). The reality, in fact, is located in the diversity of female genitalia.
· Plastic Surgeons in Southwestern Ontario (and here in K-W) are advertising labiaplasty and other genital cosmetic surgeries using misleading and influencing statements:
    . Surgeries are as aimed at people who are "looking for improvement of a physical trait ... this positive change may enhance self-image"
    . Reasons for engaging in genital cosmetic surgery: Because naturally shaped labia may be "psychologically and socially distressing" and may "be a great source of embarrassment" and "cause significant embarrassment"
    . Labiaplasty is advertised as an "increasingly common procedure" and is available to the young and old alike, because there is "no overarching rule as to the right age for plastic surgery"
    . Inquiries regarding the pain associated with such surgical procedures are addressed using language such as "different levels of discomfort"

Toni Serafini, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Sexuality, Marriage, & Family Studies
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Health Studies and Gerontology (UW)
St. Jerome's University in the University of Waterloo
290 Westmount Road, North
Waterloo, ON, Canada, N2L 3G3
519-884-8110 x28293
tserafini@uwaterloo.ca