Harmful traditional practices, (male circumcision - Electronic Thesis ...

1.1 The Origins of Virginity Testing
13
In South Africa, the practice of virginity testing is a longstanding custom among
the Zulu and to a lesser extent the Xhosa. 1 After having died out in the 20 th
century, it emerged with renewed vigour in the 1990’s as a result of the increase
of deaths due to HIV/Aids. 2 Central to the revival of this Zulu custom in
KwaZulu-Natal were the efforts of two women, namely Andile Gumede and
Nomagugu Ngobese who brought young girls to public sites for testing. 3 After
working independently of one another, they decided to join forces in an effort to
reinstate the high social value which was previously placed on Zulu virgins. 4
In practice, Zulu girls are physically examined in order to determine whether
their ‘hymens’ are intact. 5 The hymen is a small membrane which stretches
across the opening of the vagina. Girls with their hymens intact are considered
to be virgins. Those in favour of testing claim that some of the benefits include
the prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy, the detection
of children who are sexually abused by family members or friends and that it
eases the burden on pensioners who always bore the brunt of raising children
that were unplanned-for. 6
1
Lafraniere S, “Women’s Rights Movement in Africa Emerges.” Available online at
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2006/01/2003286981 at 1. Accessed on 8 April
2006.
2
Author unknown, “Sex and Sexuality – Now, South Africa is about to ban virginity testing after
years of criticism from rights groups …”, Available online at
http://www.sexualitycompendium.com/node/103 at 1. Accessed on 22 April 2006.
3
Scorgie F, Virginity Testing and the Politics of Sexual Responsibility: Implications for AIDS
Intervention, African Studies (University of Cambridge) 61 1 2002 at 57.
4
Ibid at 57.
5
See fn 1 above.
6
Author unknown, “Commission for Gender Equality Report - Consultative Conference on
Virginity Testing”, Richard’s Bay, June 2000, at 20.