The government of France has condemned a reality show broadcasted in the country in which young brides ae required to provide a proof of their virginity. Upon taking notice on that outrageous portrayal of unethical practice, Minister delegate for citizenship, Marlene Schappe wrote a letter to French broadcast watchdog CSA in which she condemned how brides were shown being examined by female relatives in the show prior to getting married.
Marlene Schappe – woman who wrote the letter to Govt.
The offensive scenes were from the French program that is basically inspired by a program called “big fat gypsy wedding”, which has been broadcasted on Channel 4. The French series follows the courtship and marriage traditions of the Catalan giant community living in the southern town of Perpignan. In an episode aired in February, making of a lavish bed was also seen on which the ritual of virginity test had to be carried out. During the show, viewers hear the following commentary,
“On this bed a woman with special training tests the resistance of Naomi’s hymen with a delicate tissue. The ceremony of the handkerchief is ancestral and inescapable. If Naomi has had sexual relations, the wedding will be cancelled.”
In other scenes, women were seen elaborating the importance of virginity test as it will ensure groom’s family about the purity of bride and they will know that they are going to take a beautiful virgin woman in their family. “Since their childhood, girls are mentally prepared for these rituals that are compulsory for women to go through”, a woman in the show says.
Interestingly, when they were asked to shed light on why men are not required to go through the same test and are not supposed to be a “certified virgin”, they said that after marriage it will not be possible for men to go to the parties and meet stranger women, so in order to stop them from doing it after marriage, they are allowed to experience it before getting into a wed-lock.
As Marlene wrote in her letter, the phenomena portrayed in the show is against the law that has been passed in French National Assembly recently, banning virginity test and making the consent of two individuals the primary condition to get married. This bill is now in the senate for further processing and it makes the issuance of virginity certificates by doctors illegal. The article is aimed primarily at France’s Muslim community, where some families insist on proof of virginity before marriage. The extent of the practice is disputed.
Doctors who would be issuing virginity certificates will be sued with a penalty of 15 thousand euros and one year of imprisonment. Moreover, the nonprofessionals who would conduct such tests will be charged with rape, even if the test had been conducted with woman’s consent.
According to the World health organization, the sexual history of any woman can never be determined by a two finger virginity test and it is also a grave violation of human rights. Vaginal intercourse can never be proved through virginity tests, says the organization.
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