ABSTRACT
This chapter dismantles and denounces “virginity” myths that legitimize virginity testing and hymenoplasty, carried out by health-care professionals upon girls and women often against their will. The medical legitimacy underpinning both practices is fabricated on prejudice, misogyny, and misconceptions about the value and purpose of female genitalia. Aprecious accessory for men to claim, sell, and purchase as their entitlement in the 21st century, female virginity (also known as sexual ignorance, inexperience, and vulnerability) is promoted by patriarchal communities where violence and oppression enforce compliance. Modern-day virginity – in a male-dominant world – as sexed and sexualized is discriminatory; women only are expected toprove and repairtheir virginity to appease others. When certified clinicians are bound to perform virginity tests and hymenoplasties, they perpetuate the “honor-based” patriarchal prerogative to negate women’s sexual autonomy. Engaging in fraud and arguably sexual assault, they imperil girls and women, subjecting them to unnecessary pain, degrading treatment, and at worst, death. These doctors, nurses, and staff should be held accountable not only for breaching their professional ethics but also for perpetrating violence. Whilst documenting the recent campaign to ban virginity testing and hymenoplasty in the United Kingdom, this chapter justifies why they deserve and need to be banned together.
