Tag Archives: virginity test

Today’s Lady News: Egyptian Woman Fights “Virginity Testing” — Er, Rape — By Police

Jessica WakemanJanuary 10, 2012 //
  • While protesting at Tahrir Square in Cairo, Samira Ibrahim was grabbed by Egyptian soldiers, stripped, electrically prodded, and sexually assaulted, which they told her was a “virginity test.” She is just one of many women who have been sexually assaulted after being detained by soldiers. Samira, age 25, and her father have filed a court case against the government, which has led to a ban against so-called “virginity tests.” On Sunday, a court will hear evidence against a soldier who ordered the sexual assaults.  [New York Times, The National AE]
  • New Hampshire’s state House of Representatives has approved a “fetal homicide” bill allowing criminal charges against a person who causes the violent death of a fetus. Advocates for legal abortion say such bills are a sneaky way to conceptualize a fetus as a “person” who can be “murdered,” thus undermining abortion rights. But supporters of such bills say it allows the perpetrator to be doubly punished for hurting or killing a pregnant woman. [Union Leader]
  • The Pope has suggested same-sex marriage is a threat to “the future of humanity itself.” [Reuters]
  • Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should run as Obama’s vice president during the 2012 election, former New York Times executive editor Bill Keller has suggested. [The Daily Beast] Keep reading »

Egyptian Court Stops “Virginity Tests” On Female Protesters In Prison

Jessica WakemanDecember 28, 2011 //
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"Virginity Tests" Protested
Egyptians protest the sexual assault of women by military personnel. Read More »
Muslim woman veil photo

Sexual assault and the threat of sexual assault are used as a way to control women. Nowhere is that more present, lately, than in Egypt where female protesters have been forced to undergo “virginity tests” administered by soldiers when they are arrested and imprisoned. Yesterday, a Cairo court sided with protester Samira Ibrahim, age 25, who was assaulted with a “virginity test” after she was arrested in Cairo’s Tahrir Square in March, and ordered that the military stop forcing its way into women’s bodies. The court’s ruling claimed, “These acts involve deliberate humiliation and intentional insult to women participating in protests.” Keep reading »