Perception of Youths on Virginity Testing

This book is an investigation of the impact of virginity testing on the livelihoods of young girls in the Eastern Cape. Maluleke (2012) defines virginity testing as the practice and process of inspecting the genitalia of girls and women to determine if they are sexually chaste. Singer (2000) argues that virginity is seen by the presence of hymen in girl’s vagina whereas its absence means no virginity. This study will adopt the definition of Maluleke (2012) as it reflects the testing procedures in the O.R Tambo district municipality. With modern day’s new views on human rights the practice of a virginity test has been less practiced for a period now; with the ever-growing risk of HIV infection tribal communities'' leaders have revived this practice which relates to the Reed Dance Ceremony (Squidoo 2012).