A BBC investigation has revealed that women are undergoing a controversial "virginity test" at a British medical center.
The World Health Organization and the United Nations have called for such tests to be performed as a violation of human rights.
Controversial 'virginity test' business is going on in a British clinic
Critics say the test is unscientific and cannot confirm whether a girl is a virgin. This test can also be used as a tool of torture.
It examines the vagina to see if the woman's hymen or the delicate membrane of the vagina is intact.
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| The controversial Virginity test business is going on in a British clinic. |
Journalists from the BBC's One Hundred Women and Newsbeat division have found that a number of private clinics in Britain are involved in the business. They advertise to "restore virginity" and when contacted they say the so-called virginity test will cost between 150 to 300 pounds.
Last year's comment from American rap music artist TI caused huge controversy when he said that he checks every year to see if his daughter Hymen is intact.
The BBC identified 21 such clinics. BBC journalists were able to contact 16 of these clinics, seven of which confirmed that they had "virginity tests". They did not clearly explain what the rest did.
However, each medical center said they would perform surgery to repair the torn hymen, which would cost between 1,500 and 3,000. According to NHS England, the UK's national health system, there have been 69 hymen-repair surgeries in the last five years.
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Newsbeat spoke to a woman who took refuge in a voluntary organization called Karma Nirvana about her problem. The organization helps women victims of so-called family honor and forced marriages.
"My relationship with my parents was a very emotionally abusive relationship. They wanted me to marry the boy they had fixed," he said.
Escape is the only way for me:
"One day an old man from our community saw me with friends and went to my mother and told her that one of the boys was my boyfriend. There were rumors and gossip about this in our familiar quarters."
Her parents threatened to test her virginity.
"My parents and the family of the boy they wanted to marry me say I have to get a virginity test before marriage."
"I was scared. I didn't understand then - what that meant. What they wanted to do. I thought the only way I could escape was to do it."
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The BBC has seen hymen repair materials being sold online - claiming it can fix torn hymen and restore virginity.
Priya Manota runs the helpline for the organization of Karma Nirvana.
Concerned neo-hippies and their global warming, I'll tell ya. The girls are worried about this. Someone has a relationship with a male friend, the family knows about it, or someone has sex. She's no longer a virgin. He is worried about that.
"If someone is in love, or someone wants to marry the boy of their choice, or someone may have sex with a boy, this test is a tool of torture to protect family honor or to force marriage. We know a lot about the work of our organization. What a tragic outcome - where girls have been killed. In many cases, families have abandoned girls. "
The World Health Organization (WHO) says virginity testing for girls is underway in at least 20 countries around the world. He says there is no scientific evidence that a girl can have sex with this test. This is because the hymen-like membrane called hymen can be torn for various reasons. Tampons can be used to tear and can be torn while playing sports.
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Last year the American rap music artist admitted she had her daughter undergo a virginity test every year to see if her hymen was intact. His confession caused a great deal of controversy and anger.
Tweezers and fake blood:
A BBC investigation has further revealed that Hymen repair materials are being sold online for 50 pounds. It is claimed that the torn hymen can be fixed and virginity can be restored.
One such kit sold for 104 pounds in Germany. It contains 60 ml of gel, a plastic tin, a capsule filled with blood, and three sachets that appear to be filled with fake blood. But there are no instructions on how to use these materials in the kit.
Gynecologist said. Ashfaq Khan receives regular virginity tests and requests from patients to repair torn hymen.
"I don't understand why it wasn't banned in the UK. It should be declared illegal," he says.
First of all, if a girl's hymen part is not there or if it is not intact, it means that the girl's virginity has been lost. It is a complete mistake.
This veil can be torn for many reasons. Now if I say 'Yes, it is torn, I have repaired it.' And to this end, I give a certificate, which means I'm giving a fake certificate. "
People need to be taught:
Dr. Khan thinks there is a need to create more awareness against this practice.
"This is exactly what has been said in Zoresore against female genital mutilation. The issue of female genital mutilation has been praised by world leaders," he told Newsbeat. Eat.
"I think it's another crime. And we're now implicating ourselves in a crime that's morally wrong."
Earlier this year, the Middle Eastern Women and Society Organization launched a campaign calling for an end to the "virginity test" and called for more education and awareness.
Halaleh Taheri, the organization's founder, said: "We want to ban the practice of repairing torn hymen, but without proper education or awareness it would do more harm than good to do so.
"If we can teach the people in our community, and change their entrenched beliefs, there will be no need to surgically restore or repair Hymen. You will be the one to wrap up this business."
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