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In a global call to eliminate violence against women and girls everywhere, this medically unnecessary, and often times painful, humiliating and traumatic practice must end. Virginity testing is a long-standing tradition that has been documented in at least 20 countries spanning all regions of the world. Women and girls are subjected, and often forced, to undergo virginity testing for various reasons. These include requests from parents or potential partners to establish marriage eligibility or from employers for employment eligibility. It is mostly performed by doctors, police officers, or community leaders on women and girls in order to assess their virtue, honour or social value. In some regions, it is common practice for health professionals to perform virginity testing on victims of rape, supposedly to ascertain whether or not rape occurred. Virginity testing is often performed by inspecting the hymen for tears or its size of opening, and/or inserting fingers into the vagina (the “two-finger” test). Both techniques are practiced under the belief that the appearance of the female genitalia can indicate a girl’s or woman’s history of sexual activity. WHO states that there is no evidence that either method can prove whether a woman or girl has had vaginal intercourse or not. Emphasis on women’s “virginity” is a form of gender discrimination The term “virginity” is not a medical or scientific term. Rather, the concept of “virginity” is a social, cultural and religious construct – one that reflects gender discrimination against women and girls. The social expectation that girls and women should remain “virgins” (i.e. without having sexual intercourse) is based on stereotyped notions that female sexuality should be curtailed within marriage. This notion is harmful to women and girls globally. Health impacts of virginity testing These examinations are not only a violation of women’s and girls’ human rights, but in cases of rape can cause additional pain and mimic the original act of sexual violence, leading to re-experience, re-traumatization and re-victimization. Many women suffer from adverse short- and long-term physical, psychological and social consequences of this practice. This includes anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress. In extreme cases, women or girls may attempt suicide or be killed in the name of “honour”. Performing this medically unnecessary and harmful test violates several human rights and ethical standards including the fundamental principle in medicine to ‘do no harm’. WHO recommends that this test should not be performed under any circumstances. Governments, health professionals and communities must act to eliminate the practice There is an urgent need to raise awareness among health professionals and communities of the detrimental effects of performing this test on women and girls, its lack of scientific validity, and the need to eliminate its use. Some governments have banned virginity testing and enacted laws to criminally punish those who perform the examination. Many professional health associations and human rights organizations have condemned this practice as unscientific and a violation of women’s and girls’ rights. UN Human Rights, UN Women and WHO are committed to ending virginity testing and ensuring that the rights of all women and girls are upheld. The following are recommended strategies to eliminate virginity testing in settings where it occurs: Health professionals and their professional associations should be aware that virginity testing has no scientific merit and cannot determine past vaginal penetration. They should also know the health and human rights consequences of virginity testing, and never perform or support the practice. Governments should enact and enforce laws that ban virginity testing. Communities and all relevant stakeholders should implement awareness campaigns that challenge myths related to virginity and harmful gender norms that place emphasis on control of women’s and girls’ sexuality and bodies. Statement document that includes background on the issue, scientific evidence and global strategies to eliminate this practice: Eliminating virginity testing: an interagency statement Media enquiries: WHO media@who.int +41 22 791 2222 UN Human Rights media@ohchr.org UN Women Media.team@unwomen.org News Interagency statement calls for the elimination of “virginity-testing” 17 October 2018 KAS–UNITE parliamentary dialogue with WHO advances women’s health and global health cooperation 9 February 2026 Stronger infection prevention and management, better maternal outcomes 20 November 2025 IARC, WHO Academy, and other WHO partners launch new comprehensive learning programme on screening, diagnosis, and management of cervical precancer 17 November 2025 Fact sheets Violence against women 25 March 2024 Feature stories A turning point in eliminating postpartum haemorrhage: the story from a PPH survivor in Cape Town 30 October 2025 New digital tools expand access and enhance quality in comprehensive abortion care 23 September 2025 Transforming abortion care starts with education 22 September 2025 Regions Africa Americas Eastern Mediterranean Europe South-East Asia Western Pacific Policies Cybersecurity Ethics Information disclosure Permissions and licensing Preventing sexual exploitation Terms of use About us Careers Frequently asked questions Library Procurement Publications Contact us Newsletters Report misconduct Privacy policy © 2026 WHO