Crowded With Virginity Tests In The UK, WHO Intervened

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JAKARTA - Women in Britain are offered controversial virginity tests at various medical clinics. The test is considered a human rights violation by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations, which want to ban the practice.

Critics say that virginity testing is unscientific. The test also does not prove whether a person is a virgin and can constitute a form of abuse. In 2019, US rapper TI sparked outrage after admitting during a podcast he took his daughter for tests every year to check if the child's hymen was still intact.

Virginity testing is known to be carried out in at least 20 countries, according to WHO. The WHO also insists there is no evidence a test can prove whether a woman or girl has had sex or not. This is because the hymen can tear for a variety of reasons, including use of tampons and exercise.

Citing an investigation by the BBC on Friday, November 27, it found a number of private clinics in the UK advertising "virginity remedies" which, when contacted, also offered so-called virginity tests for between £ 150 and £ 300. A total of 21 clinics were targeted, 16 of which were successfully contacted with seven confirming that offering virginity testing and several others would not explain their position.

The BBC also found an offer for hymen repair kits being sold online for £ 50, claiming to restore virginity. The obstetrician, Dr Ashfaq Khan, regularly gets requests from patients for virginity tests and hymen repair.

"I don't understand why it isn't illegal in the UK, it has to be made illegal," he said.

"The whole idea that the absence of a part of the hymen means you are not a virgin is wrong in the first place. It can tear for various reasons and if I have to say 'it's torn, I need to fix it' and then I can give you a certificate, that means I give fake certificates, "Khan said.

Earlier this year, the UK-based Middle Eastern Society and Women Organization began a campaign to ban virginity testing. The organization also called for further education on the topic.

The founder of the Middle East Women and Society Organization, Halaleh Taheri, said that although his party wanted to ban the repair of the hymen, banning practices without proper education would only do more harm. The only reason for this is because of the backward mentality of virginity.

"If we help educate our community and reverse this belief, then there is no need for hymen reconstruction. It will bankrupt itself," said Halaleh Taheri.