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There's No Such Thing as a Virginity Test

Rights & Wrongs

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Episode  ·  24:35  ·  Nov 4, 2024

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Gen. Sri Rumiati served as a policewoman in Indonesia for decades, but her life’s work became centered around protesting a policy of the state security forces. When she was summoned for military service, she was shocked to learn that she was required to take a virginity test. The Indonesian military and police held the misogynistic belief that female soldiers and officers needed to be chaste and that they could test for virginity by examining a woman’s hymen, an abusive practice that has no scientific basis. The policy lasted for decades, until a Human Rights Watch report and tireless advocacy by activists like General Rumiati moved the immovable. Indonesia’s military and police forces stopped requiring virginity tests. Andreas Harsono: Indonesia researcher at Human Rights Watch Sri Rumiati: Retired police general & activist Meenakshi Ganguly: Deputy director of the Asia Division at Human Rights Watch 

24m 35s  ·  Nov 4, 2024

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