When filmmaker Biodun Stephen sat down on the Dear Ife podcast, no one expected the conversation to get this raw.
In a deeply personal moment, she shared how being circumcised at the age of six has had lasting effects on her life, particularly her intimate experiences as an adult.
According to Stephen, the memory is still painfully clear.
“In my case, it was my grandma. I was six when I went for circumcision. I remember it vividly, the pain. Oh God,” she said.
She described the setting as stark and unsettling, recalling that it happened outdoors on a mat in the afternoon. That detail alone paints a picture of how normalized the practice was in certain communities at the time.
Stephen went on to speak about the possible long-term impact of such procedures. She explained that the effects often depend on how severe the circumcision was, but for many women, it can affect intimacy, pleasure, and the ability to experience orgasm. Her comments have since reignited conversations about female genital mutilation, cultural traditions, and the silent trauma many women carry into adulthood.
The discussion also touched on relationships. When asked whether cheating is a deal breaker, Stephen offered a perspective that surprised some listeners. While many people see infidelity as unforgivable, she said it is not automatically a deal breaker for her. However, she emphasized that actions must have consequences, adding that simply walking away can sometimes feel “too easy” because, in her view, there should be accountability.
Since the episode aired, social media has been buzzing. Some are applauding her bravery for speaking openly about childhood trauma. Others are debating cultural practices that have long been defended as tradition.
One thing is clear: Biodun Stephen’s story has forced a difficult but necessary conversation about how early experiences, especially those we never chose, can shape our adult lives in ways people rarely talk about.
And maybe that’s exactly why this conversation matters.
