The Virginity Fraud

“The truth is this is about so much more than an anatomical misunderstanding. The myths about the hymen have lived on for centuries because they have cultural significance. They have been used as a powerful tool in the effort to control Women’s sexuality in about every cultural, religion, and historical decade. Women are still mistrusted, shamed, harmed and in the worst cases subjected to honor killings if they don’t bleed on their wedding night. Other Women are forced through degrading virginity checks simply to obtain a job, to save their reputation or to get married.” Nina Brochmann

“After the Egyptian uprising in 2011 a group of female protestors were forced to undergo virginity checks by their military. In Oslo doctors examine the hymen’s of young Girls to reassure parents that their children are not ruined.” Ellen Støkken

As most know this is a huge part of Middle Eastern Culture including Roma cultures, Asian, Southeast Asian, some African cultures, as well as several nomadic cultures. Religious faiths including Judao Christian and Islamic. “Purity” and what that can symbolically means is part of many cultures and religions as aforementioned, to those who take it to the extreme as also mentioned the loss of “virginity” of unwed Girls and Women is met with shame, persecution, beatings, prison in some countries, or even death IE Honor Killings because it is deemed “dishonorable” to the families of those who have lost their virginity or seemed to even if it has occurred through the violence of rape and sexual assault. Several years ago there was a powerful documentary titled “Honor Diaries” grappling with the Human Rights abuses against Girls and Women throughout Middle Eastern cultures and some African cultures particularly Islamic based. It involved mostly Muslim Women activists of the respective backgrounds. The documentary covered everything from Female Genital Mutilation, to Domestic Violence, Forced Marriages, Child Marriage, Acid Attacks, and Honor Killings. I encourage those who have not viewed it to do so as it is quite eye opening from the perspectives of Women who have lived it and experienced it.

“By telling Girls that no deed can be kept secret, that their bodies will reveal them no matter what we have endowed them with fear. Girls are afraid of ‘ruining’ themselves. We have curtailed their opportunities and their freedoms.” Nina Brochmaan TED Talks