The Prohibition of Virginity Testing and Hymenoplasty
So-called ‘virginity tests’ and the practice of hymen ‘repair’ surgery are both currently legal and are being conducted by doctors to ‘check’ or ‘restore’ the virginity of a woman. These traumatic practices have no basis in medical science, harm women and girls and perpetuate dangerous myths of ‘purity’.
The WHO states that so-called ‘virginity testing’ is:
“a violation of the victims human rights and is associated with both immediate and long-term consequences that are detrimental to her physical, psychological and social well-being.”
Medical experts from The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, The Royal College of Midwives, Karma Nirvana, IKWRO - Women's Rights Organisation and the Middle Eastern Women & Society Organisation are seeking to prohibit the practice of so-called ‘virginity tests’ and hymen ‘repair’ surgery through New Clause 1 & 2 to the Health and Care Bill in Parliament.
Women and girls deserve to grow up free from notions of ‘breaking their womanhood’ so they ‘bleed on their wedding night’.
Over 55 MPs have now signed the cross-party New Clauses to the Health and Care Bill including Tracey Crouch MP. Virginity Testing is mentioned in the Government’s Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy. PCC Matthew Scott is conducting a Kent wide survey.
In light of the recent events in Afghanistan, recognising Medway’s Muslim population, this Council calls on HM Government to criminalise so called ‘virginity testing‘ and hymenoplasty at the earliest opportunity.
Minutes:
“The Prohibition of Virginity Testing and Hymenoplasty
So-called ‘virginity tests’ and the practice of hymen ‘repair’ surgery are both currently legal and are being conducted by doctors to ‘check’ or ‘restore’ the virginity of a woman. These traumatic practices have no basis in medical science, harm women and girls and perpetuate dangerous myths of ‘purity’.
The WHO states that so-called ‘virginity testing’ is:
“a violation of the victims human rights and is associated with both immediate and long-term consequences that are detrimental to her physical, psychological and social well-being.”
Medical experts from The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, The Royal College of Midwives, Karma Nirvana, IKWRO - Women's Rights Organisation and the Middle Eastern Women & Society Organisation are seeking to prohibit the practice of so-called ‘virginity tests’ and hymen ‘repair’ surgery through New Clause 1 & 2 to the Health and Care Bill in Parliament.
Women and girls deserve to grow up free from notions of ‘breaking their womanhood’ so they ‘bleed on their wedding night’.
Over 55 MPs have now signed the cross-party New Clauses to the Health and Care Bill including Tracey Crouch MP. Virginity Testing is mentioned in the Government’s Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy. PCC Matthew Scott is conducting a Kent wide survey.
In light of the recent events in Afghanistan, recognising Medway’s Muslim population, this Council calls on HM Government to criminalise so called ‘virginity testing‘ and hymenoplasty at the earliest opportunity.”
Councillor Khan, supported by Councillor Murray proposed the following amendment:
“The Prohibition of Virginity Testing and Hymenoplasty
So-called ‘virginity tests’ and the practice of hymen ‘repair’ surgery are both currently legal and are being conducted by doctors to ‘check’ or ‘restore’ the virginity of a woman. These traumatic practices have no basis in medical science, harm women and girls and perpetuate dangerous myths of ‘purity’.
The WHO states that so-called ‘virginity testing’ is:
“a violation of the victims human rights and is associated with both immediate and long-term consequences that are detrimental to her physical, psychological and social wellbeing.”
Medical experts from The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, The Royal College of Midwives, Karma Nirvana, IKWRO - Women's Rights Organisation and the Middle Eastern Women & Society Organisation are seeking to prohibit the practice of so-called ‘virginity tests’ and hymen ‘repair’ surgery through New Clause 1 & 2 to the Health and Care Bill in Parliament.
Delete:
Women and girls deserve to
grow up free from notions of ‘breaking their womanhood’
so they ‘bleed on their wedding night’.
Over 55 MPs have now signed
the cross-party New Clauses to the Health and Care Bill including
Tracey Crouch MP. Virginity Testing is mentioned in the
Government’s Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy. PCC
Matthew Scott is conducting a Kent wide survey.
Add:
This council recognises that there is cross-party support for this issue in Parliament, including from local MP Tracey Crouch.
Amend:
In light of the recent
events in Afghanistan, recognising Medway’s Muslim
population, Given the physical and
psychological impacts of this practice on women, this we
call on this Council calls on HM Government to support the
wider end violence against women and girls agenda, and call on the
Government to criminalise so called ‘virginity testing‘ and hymenoplasty at the earliest
opportunity.
Amended motion reads:
“The Prohibition of Virginity Testing and Hymenoplasty
So-called ‘virginity tests’ and the practice of hymen ‘repair’ surgery are both currently legal and are being conducted by doctors to ‘check’ or ‘restore’ the virginity of a woman. These traumatic practices have no basis in medical science, harm women and girls and perpetuate dangerous myths of ‘purity’.
The WHO states that so-called ‘virginity testing’ is:
“a violation of the victims human rights and is associated with both immediate and long-term consequences that are detrimental to her physical, psychological and social wellbeing.”
Medical experts from The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, The Royal College of Midwives, Karma Nirvana, IKWRO - Women's Rights Organisation and the Middle Eastern Women & Society Organisation are seeking to prohibit the practice of so-called ‘virginity tests’ and hymen ‘repair’ surgery through New Clause 1 & 2 to the Health and Care Bill in Parliament.
This council recognises that there is cross-party support for this issue in Parliament, including from local MP Tracey Crouch.
Given the physical and psychological impacts of this practice on women, we call on this Council to support the wider end violence against women and girls agenda, and call on the Government to criminalise so called ‘virginity testing‘ and hymenoplasty at the earliest opportunity.”
Upon being put to the vote, the amendment was carried.
Decision:
The Prohibition of Virginity Testing and Hymenoplasty
So-called ‘virginity tests’ and the practice of hymen ‘repair’ surgery are both currently legal and are being conducted by doctors to ‘check’ or ‘restore’ the virginity of a woman. These traumatic practices have no basis in medical science, harm women and girls and perpetuate dangerous myths of ‘purity’.
The WHO states that so-called ‘virginity testing’ is:
“a violation of the victims human rights and is associated with both immediate and long-term consequences that are detrimental to her physical, psychological and social wellbeing.”
Medical experts from The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, The Royal College of Midwives, Karma Nirvana, IKWRO - Women's Rights Organisation and the Middle Eastern Women & Society Organisation are seeking to prohibit the practice of so-called ‘virginity tests’ and hymen ‘repair’ surgery through New Clause 1 & 2 to the Health and Care Bill in Parliament.
This council recognises that there is cross-party support for this issue in Parliament, including from local MP Tracey Crouch.
Given the physical and psychological impacts of this practice on women, we call on this Council to support the wider end violence against women and girls agenda, and call on the Government to criminalise so called ‘virginity testing‘ and hymenoplasty at the earliest opportunity.