When Will Pakistan Ban the Illegal Two-Finger Test?
The Federal Government is seeking the ban of the horrendous two-finger test as part of any medico-legal procedure in rape/sexual assault cases' reports.
After being pressurised by the Ministry of Law and Justice, Lahore Attorney General, Chaudhry Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan will present the federal government’s stance to ban the infamous two-finger test in the Lahore High Court.
Medico-legal officers conduct the procedure on rape and sexual assault victims as part of routine medical evaluation. The test ‘determines’ whether a woman has been raped or not. However, the World Health Organisation has stated, ” “Virginity testing” aka “two-finger testing” has no scientific or clinical basis. It is an inspection of female genitalia designed to determine whether a female has had vaginal intercourse.”
Back in March, female journalists and activists protested against the inhumane two-finger test, filing a petition in the Lahore High Court. More over, the two-finger test has also been proven to be unreliable by scientific and medical experts. The Punjab Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department and the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department had observed it’s unreliability in the submissions to the court.
After the World Health Organisation issued a statement on the matter, the court sought the ministry’s appeal. The petition states, “Furthermore, the conduct of such tests on women is an extreme invasion of their privacy and bodily integrity as well as a source of re-traumatization… Therefore, the state inflicts these unconstitutional, medically unsound and inherently biased practices on women when they are at their most vulnerable and most in need of the state’s protection”.
Additionally, the way in which the test is conducted, violates Article 14 of the Pakistani Constitution.
. Inviolability of dignity of man, etc.
14. (1) The dignity of man and, subject to law, the privacy of
home, shall be inviolable.
(2) No person shall be subjected to torture for the purpose of
extracting evidence.
The petition added, “The continued use of TFT and hymen tests does not lead to any evidence that should be considered relevant to a trial and is aimed solely at drawing conclusions about the character, morality, chastity, social standing, past sexual activity and credibility of women who have been victims of these crimes”.
Governments and authorities are being pushed to ban this immoral, inhumane and traumatising medical procedure as it has subjected women in Pakistan to severe physical and mental health issues.
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