Virginity testing and hymenoplasty are illegal procedures and forms of harmful practice. They are carried out with the intention of ‘checking’ or ‘preserving’ a woman or girl’s virginity.
Virginity is a term used to describe the state of never having had sexual intercourse. In some cultures virginity is linked to a woman or girl’s worth and can equate to the ‘purity’ of a woman or girl. It is wrongfully believed a girl or woman may bring ‘shame’ or ‘dishonour’ onto a family or community if she is not perceived to be a virgin when she marries.
Click the link or image below to download our factsheet to learn key facts, the consequences, the law around the procedures, indicators, how to identify risks and how to respond to cases, suspected cases and disclosures of virginity testing and hymenoplasty.