Authorities of a high school have coerced their female students to undergo ‘virginity tests’ before they pass out from the school.
Male students were however exempted from the test meant for girls in the Indonesian city of Jember.
Initially, the country used controversial ‘two-finger’ tests on female recruits wishing to join the army or police force.
World Health Organization has warned that the demeaning tests have no scientific validity and are based on misunderstandings of female anatomy, Metro UK reports.
In reaction, the director of Human Rights Watch Asia, Phelim Kine said, “President Joko Widodo should send a loud and unambiguous message forbidding virginity tests by local governments, as well as the Indonesian military, police and civil service.”
Kine added, “The authorities should back that up by firing and appropriately prosecuting officials who promote or perpetrate virginity tests to ensure that women are protected from such abuse.
“Until he does, high school girls and their education in Jember will remain in peril.”
