Richard Holden, Member of Parliament for North West Durham, will introduce the Virginity Testing (Prohibition) Bill in the House of Commons on Tuesday 15th December.
Important recent investigative work by BBC and others has found that controversial virginity tests are being offered at British medical clinics. The tests involve a vaginal examination to see if a woman’s hymen is still intact and are considered a violation of human rights by both the United Nation and the World Health Organisation. A UN statement in 2018 called for the tests to be banned globally, and the WHO has also called for them to be made illegal. The tests are highly unscientific, do not prove virginity anyway, and are linked to forced marriage, so-called ‘honour killings’ and oppressive practices that undermine women.
Richard’s motion in the House of Commons will set in motion his campaign to see virginity tests made illegal in the UK. He is already being backed by MPs from across the House including: Sarah Champion MP, Meg Hillier MP, Sara Britcliffe MP, Dehenna Davison MP and Nicola Richards MP.
It follows the recent news that the French Government, under President Macron, is planning on introducing jail terms and fines for doctors in France who offer virginity tests or virginity certificates.
Commenting, Richard Holden, Member of Parliament for North West Durham, said:
“I am really pleased to be leading on this Bill and that it’ll get its first hearing in the House of Commons this week. This is jsutthe start of what is an incredibly important campaign I am running to see so called virginity tests be made illegal.
“These tests are not only quack science much more importantly they are a violation of the basic rights of women and should have no place in any society, least of all modern Britain. The tests are not only absolutely absurd but in many cases can be painful and humiliating for the women who have them. Frankly, they also reek of misogyny and play into the most harmful stereotyping of women and girls.
“Britain, which has been leading international efforts on girls education, should take another lead and end to this outdated and dangerous practice. I am pleased that the motion is being backed by MPs from across political parties and I will do everything I can to pressure the Government to act swiftly on this issue.”
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