IFP Women’s Brigade defends virginity testing for maidens
THE IFP Women’s Brigade has added its weight in support of maidens who are challenging the United Nation’s human rights call to end virginity testing.
National Chairperson Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa said her party would continue advocating virginity testing, because they felt it provided more benefits to society as a whole.
Her comments follow the recent march of hundreds of maidens to KZN Premier Willies Mchunu’s office in Pietermaritzburg, to express their displeasure about the UN’s call.
‘It is erroneous for these organisations to always view our culture from a negative perspective.
‘Virginity testing has a strong cultural identity and is associated with selfrespect, modesty and pride. Furthermore, testing has not killed or humiliated any women as is the case with other traditional rituals.
‘Virginity testing promotes sexual abstinence, prevents sexual diseases such as HIV/ Aids, unwanted teenage pregnancies and serves to curb the scourge of sugar daddies and blessers,’ kaMadlophaMthethwa said.
‘It is unacceptable that nowadays children are giving birth to other children while still dependent on their parents.
‘There has been a disturbing increase of young girls becoming infected with HIV/Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases. Communities are therefore reviving this cultural tradition as a way to educate and safeguard young women against these problems.
‘The testers are older, experienced women from the respective communities who are doing a good job in exposing child rape cases and incest. Virginity testers also run regular workshops on bullying, life skills, human trafficking and health and safety issues to empower the maidens.
‘If our maidens had problems against the ritual, they would have taken to the streets to protest against it.
‘We do not need these organisations to be dictating to us as Africans on what to do and what not to do.
‘We fully support His Majesty, the Zulu King for promoting and reviving traditions such as Umkhosi Womhlanga (Reed Dance).
‘Even President Ramaphosa must stand up and be in solidarity with the maidens and denounce what these organisations are calling for.’
If our maidens had problems against the ritual, they would have taken to the streets to protest against it