‘Degrading’ virginity tests on women must stop, Quebec doctors’ group urges

[cali]

The Quebec college of physicians has issued a warning to doctors to stop performing virginity tests, a practice linked to bridal purity and family honour.

Gynecological exams for virginity certificates contravene the profession’s code of ethics on several grounds, including breaching patient confidentiality, said Charles Bernard, president of the Collège des médecins, in an interview.

The practise is outrageous, repugnant, irrelevant and unacceptable, he said.

“Imagine a doctor who does a gynecological examination with the sole purpose of … it goes beyond the imagination. And it’s degrading to women,” Dr. Bernard said.

<snip>

http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/10/12/degrading-virginity-tests-on-women-must-stop-quebec-doctors-group-urges/

[MineralMan]

1. Who is asking for these "tests?"

I didn't see that in the article.

[cali]

2. that isn't in the article. It's almost certainly

Muslim families.

[dballance]

4. Don't these also go on un Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families too?

I'm asking - not making a statement.

[cali]

9. As far as I can discern there isn't a tradition of that in the U.S. or Canada

or even in Israel among the Ultra-Orthodox.

[dballance]

10. Thanks for the info. It's probably good for other people to have too.

I guess I was mistaken and had maybe read that on the inter-tubes somewhere so it's good have that cleared up.

[MineralMan]

5. That's possible, but not made clear in the article.

You could be right, but I'd like more information from an actual source. It could also be orthodox Jews or some group of weird fundamentalist Christians. All are concerned with the virginity of their daughters, which is weird enough in its own right.

I asked the question because the information was not in the article at the link. I still have that question, and it remains unanswered with any sort of authority.

You surmise that it is Muslims. That's fine, but it does not answer my question. It is just your opinion in the matter. I'll see if I can find other sources for an answer.

[cali]

11. there appears to be no tradition of checking for virginity

in orthodox Jewish circles. I don't know of any tradition of doing so in fundamentalist christian circles and can't find that there in doing a search, whereas there is a tradition of virginity checks in some Muslim cultures.

In any case, from another story about this:

<snip>

Shaheen Ashraf, from the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, said virginity tests are “archaic.”

“We should be able to control our own bodies,” she said. “No one else should have the right to even think (along) those lines.”

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/quebec-physicians-ordered-to-stop-performing-virginity-tests-1.1494821#ixzz2hbvHGJRn

[fitman]

13. Bingo...

n/t

[Cirque du So-What]

3. Ostensibly, the requests would come from 'concerned parties'

and as the article rightfully points out, a host of ethical issues - including the privacy of the patient - are raised by such a specious 'test.'

[MineralMan]

6. Yes, of course. That's the question: Who are these 'concerned parties'

in Quebec? The omission of that information in the article is interesting, I think.

[Cirque du So-What]

7. Yes, I was deliberately avoiding the 'fingering' of any particular culture, ethnicity or religion

which is a topic the author of the OP obviously does not shy away from.

[TreasonousBastard]

8. Do a search for "virginity certificates"...

and prepare to have your world change a bit.

(It's a big business in some countries)

[MineralMan]

12. Thanks. I've already done so, and have been aware of the practice

for some time. My only point here is the omission of the information at the link. I find it interesting.

[Iggo]

14. People who think they own women and girls.

[polly7]

15. I can't even imagine any physician who would be willing to do this ... it's just sick.

CTVNews.ca Staff

Published Friday, October 11, 2013 9:09PM EDT

Quebec’s physicians college has forbidden its members from performing virginity tests after learning of four cases in which doctors were asked to conduct the gynecological exams.

Council for the Status of Women told CTV Montreal it’s important to note that while there were four reported cases, this is not a trend, and the demands are coming from religious fundamentalist groups.

Shaheen Ashraf, from the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, said virginity tests are “archaic.”

“We should be able to control our own bodies,” she said. “No one else should have the right to even think (along) those lines.”
Virginity tests have been in the spotlight in other countries in recent months.

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/quebec-physicians-ordered-to-stop-performing-virginity-tests-1.1494821#ixzz2hc8DQ6z0

[surrealAmerican]

16. Surely if the doctors are barred from preforming these "tests" ...

... the (presumably religious) organizations to whom they are important will have their own people do them. I think the doctors should refuse to do the examination but, women in these circumstances will lose no matter what.