Virginity Testing in Zimbabwe: Preserving Cultural Moral Values or a Violation of Women’s Rights?

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue XII, December 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Virginity Testing in Zimbabwe: Preserving Cultural Moral Values or a Violation of Women’s Rights?

S. Mhembwe, M. Chanhuwa
Gender Institute Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe

Abstract: Virginity testing of young women has been one of the most controversial and sensitive subjects in Zimbabwe. On one hand, proponents of African cultural practices view virginity testing as a stop gap measure to preserve societal moral and cultural values especially for teenage girls, whilst on the other hand exponents are of the view that the practice is a wanton violation of women’s and children’s rights. The aim of this paper was to examine the general perception with regards to the practice of virginity testing of teenage girls. To achieve this, data were gathered from existing sources of literature using the secondary data analysis. The findings of the study revealed that virginity testing has been practised over the years in Zimbabwe as societies claimed that it preserves their identity and culture, and that it is also a strategy of combating the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Furthermore, the study established that the practice is heavily criticised by the civil society organisations who argued that it violates girls and young women’s rights and deprives them of the power and control over their bodies and sexuality. Thus, the study recommends traditional institutions to follow the laws of the land and protect the rights of young women and girls from abuse by families, religious and ethnic groups.

Key words: Virginity testing, culture, women’s rights, sexuality.

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY

Virginity testing is considered to be both a practice and a process of inspecting the genitalia of unmarried girls and women to determine if they are sexually chaste (Chisale & Moyo, 2016; Thobejani & Mdhluli, 2015; Madlala, 2001). There are several ways of testing the virginity of girls and these include the physical inspection of the inner side of the vagina with the eye, the insertion of fingers into the vagina while others make use of sponges which are marked with lines where the sponge should penetrate the vagina up to a certain point if the girl is a virgin (Durojaye, 2016; Thabethe, 2008). It has also been noted that in the absence of sponges, eggs and leaves are used to test the virginity of girls (Women’s UN Report, 2006; Thabethe, 2008). In Zimbabwe, the cultural practice of virginity testing among girls and young women has been around for years and can be traced back to the pre-colonial times

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