The IFP Women’s Brigade calls for an open public virginity testing debate after the ANC Women’s League President, Bathabile Dlamini said this practice must be reviewed.
“Now its high time for an open public debate on virginity testing to be conducted because there have been many people calling for the virginity testing to be abolished. This debate must be held so that those who are participating this cultural tradition should be allowed to voice their opinions. We are aware that it is in KwaZulu-Natal where this culture is more dominant and it is vital that such debate must be held. We are tired of people who have recently turned against this culture but don’t tell us whether females in their families have undergone this practice,” said IFP Women’s Brigade National Chairperson, Mrs Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa.
“This custom is meant to protect our young girls from abuse and HIV and Aids. Not a single person has died because of virginity testing. In the Xhosa tradition, boys die while undergoing initiation to manhood, but no law has been passed to stop this Xhosa tradition.
“Virginity testing also includes the teaching of life skills to young girls and this helps us to make sure that they avoid premarital sex and also we will have less teenage pregnancies and also a decrease in sexually transmitted infections,” continued Mrs Madlopha-Mthethwa.
“Lastly we want to challenge the ANCWL president, Bathabile Dlamini to provide proof if any of her female relatives who had undergone virginity testing had been abused during that process, or else she must shut up and stop her insane utterances,” concluded Mrs Madlopha-Mthethwa.
The IFPWB will continue to support His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu and those who are in charge of virginity testing in advocating the need for virginity testing. Virginity testing must continue.
Issued by:
Mrs Thembeni KaMadlopha-Mthethwa, MPL
IFP Womens Brigade National Chairperson
071 884 3844 or 079 114 3015
Media enquiries:
Mr Phendulani Biyase
IFP Media Liaison Officer
073 024 5675
