- Archaic and ‘discriminatory’ practice still used in India, Egypt and Afghanistan
- So-called two-finger test would see would-be recruits have hymens assessed
- If they were deemed to have had sex they were forbidden from joining the Army
The Indonesian army has announced it will no longer carry out vaginal exams on female recruits to ‘test their virginity’.
The archaic ‘two-finger test’ – which is still used in India, Egypt and Afghanistan – saw inspectors assess whether or not the hymens of recruits were broken.
If they were deemed to have had sex, they would not be allowed to join the military as their past alleged sexual behaviour could ‘damage the army’s image’.
But the invasive testing regime has now officially ended, according to army chief General Andika Perkasa, who confirmed the decision.
‘Previously, it was part of the assessment (for female recruits), but now we are no longer doing it,’ he told reporters in Balikpapan on Indonesia’s section of Borneo island.
‘The army always tries to learn and improve things within the organisation.’
Human Rights Watch (HRW) researcher and Indonesia expert Andreas Harsono said the draconian practice has existed solely as a means of gender discrimination (Pictured: Female Indonesian soldiers)
Discriminatory two-finger test was ‘necessary for national security’, army general once claimed
The two-finger testing is the invasive practice of inserting two fingers into the vagina to supposedly assess whether a female recruit has previously had sex.
The testing was declared ‘illegitimate’ by the World Health Organisation back in 2014.
It was previously described as being a matter of national security.
In 2015, Major General Fuad Basya said: ‘If it is not restricted this way, then someone with a bad habit will become military personnel.
‘Soldiers are a nation’s defenders. They defend a nation’s sovereignty, a country’s territory and security.’
He added that a female recruit who had lost her virginity out of wedlock would ‘not have a fit mental state’ to be a soldier.
‘It may be because of an accident, disease or because of a habit (meaning sex),’ he said.
‘If it is their habit, the Indonesian military cannot accept potential recruits like these.’
An army wife previously told HRW: ‘The military wants healthy couples.
‘Military men often travel away from home. They should trust their wives.’
The practice of subjecting the fiances of servicemen to such exams had also been ditched, the army’s commander said.
The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) welcomed the news- calling the tests ‘discriminatory and intrusive’ – but cautioned they needed evidence the practice had ended.
‘We need certainty that the “virginity test” has been ended,’ commission head Theresia Iswarini said.
‘This test is discriminatory and intrusive. It can bring shame, fear and trauma for victims.’
Human Rights Watch (HRW) researcher and Indonesia expert Andreas Harsono said the draconian practice has existed solely as a means of gender discrimination.
‘”Virginity testing” is a form of gender-based violence and is a widely discredited practice,’ Harsono wrote.
‘The testing includes the invasive practice of inserting two fingers into the vagina to supposedly assess whether the woman has previously had sex.’
The testing was declared ‘illegitimate’ by the World Health Organisation back in 2014.
‘The army command is doing the right thing,’ Harsono added.
‘It is now the responsibility of territorial and battalion commanders to follow orders, and recognise the unscientific, rights-abusing nature of this practice.’
The two-finger test was previously described as being a matter of national security.
In 2015, Major General Fuad Basya said: ‘If it is not restricted this way, then someone with a bad habit will become military personnel.
‘Soldiers are a nation’s defenders. They defend a nation’s sovereignty, a country’s territory and security.’
He added that a female recruit who had lost her virginity out of wedlock would ‘not have a fit mental state’ to be a soldier.
‘It may be because of an accident, disease or because of a habit (meaning sex),’ he said.
‘If it is their habit, the Indonesian military cannot accept potential recruits like these.’
An army wife previously told HRW: ‘The military wants healthy couples.
‘Military men often travel away from home. They should trust their wives.’