EGYPT – Egyptian\u00a0member of parliament Elhamy Agina has called for women to undergo mandatory \u2018virginity tests\u2019 to ensure their virginity prior to being admitted to universities in Egypt.\u00a0 He had previously been disciplined for stating women must undergo female genital mutilation to \u201creduce their sexual desires\u201d to match that of Egypt\u2019s \u201csexually weak\u201d men.\u00a0 Agina is a member of the parliament\u2019s human rights committee.<\/p>\n
Angina called on the Minister of Higher Education to issue a mandate that would require him, or his officials, to review all virginity tests prior to providing female students with university cards.<\/p>\n
Angina said, \u201cAny girl who enters university, we have to check her medical examination to prove that she is a Miss. Therefore, each girl must present an official document upon being admitted to university stating she\u2019s a Miss. (\u2018Miss\u2019 being a censored way to refer to the woman as a virgin.<\/em>)\u00a0 No one should be upset by this decision.\u00a0 If you\u2019re upset then that means you\u2019re scared that your daughter is [or was] in an \u2018urfi\u2019 marriage behind your back.\u201d<\/p>\n Urfi marriages, also known as customary marriages, involve a marriage without the public approval of the bride\u2019s guardians. In other words, while the marriage contract may be officiated by a religious cleric or a state official, the marriage takes place in secret and only requires two other witnesses.\u00a0 In recent years, there has been an increase in undocumented urfi marriages, leading some to criticize the practice. Conservative clerics have said that undocumented urfi marriages are a cover for pre-marital sex.<\/p>\n According to Agina, if a woman \u2018fails\u2019 the virginity test, then her parents will immediately be notified. Agina hopes that this will act as a deterrent for both men and women hoping to enter an undocumented urfi marriage.<\/p>\n Agina called on Egypt\u2019s Parliament, media, and university officials to support his initiative. Responding to his statements, Egyptians on social media have ridiculed Agina, calling for him to face harsh discipline.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n