SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa to Ban Zulu Custom of Virginity Testing

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa to Ban Zulu Custom of Virginity Testing

Agence France Presse (12.13.05) - Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Fienie Grobler

This week, South Africa's National Assembly will debate a bill that bans the age-old Zulu custom of virginity testing for girls under 16. The tradition, which involves the inspection of girls' genitalia, has been criticized by human rights advocates who call it invasive and degrading. But others see it as an integral part of Zulu culture, and they argue that it promotes sex education while also preventing the spread of AIDS. Custom dictates that elder women in the community conduct the tests, in some families as often as once a month. Already the bill has been amended, taking into account objections raised by traditional leaders.
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