In addition, the lawmakers stated, “Many women suffer from adverse short and long-term physical, psychological and social consequences of this practice. This includes anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress.”
Furthermore, they noted some girls or women, in extreme cases, will try to commit suicide in the name of honor.
UN, WHO called for a global ban on virginity examinations
Moreover, the lawmakers stressed that “virginity is not a medical or scientific term.” It is a cultural, social and religious concept that “reflects gender discrimination against girls and women. The United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO), UN Women and UN Human Rights called for a global ban on virginity examinations.
Assembly member Solages and Sen. Persaud believe that it is the responsibility of state governments to ban the invasive and medically unnecessary virginity examinations. The federal government is yet to enact legislation to prohibit the practice.
The lawmakers’ move to introduce legislation on the matter comes after rapper T.I. claimed in a recent interview that he takes his 18-year old daughter to a gynecologist to “check her hymen” every year. The rapper suffered criticisms because of that.
