Breaking the Chains of Virginity Testing: A Tradition That Must End

How a Dangerous Myth Continues to Ruin Lives and Why We Must Fight Against It

For centuries, women’s bodies have been controlled, judged, and even punished based on one outdated and dangerous concept — virginity. In many cultures, a woman’s worth is still tied to whether she has had sex before marriage, leading to humiliating and harmful practices like virginity testing.

This unscientific, unethical, and degrading tradition continues to destroy lives, subjecting women to immense physical and emotional trauma. Even though medical experts and human rights organizations have denounced virginity testing as unreliable and abusive, it remains a common practice in many countries.

The consequences for women who “fail” these tests can be devastating — ranging from public shame and rejection to severe violence, forced isolation, or even death. Yet, men are never subjected to the same scrutiny, highlighting a glaring double standard that continues to oppress women.

So why does this tradition persist, and what can be done to put an end to it once and for all?

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