Virginity tests put Indonesian women off military service; often performed by men, they are seen as degrading
Despite Indonesia’s police force ending virginity tests on female applicants last year, the armed forces still perform the invasive procedure in a country where only 5 per cent of active soldiers and police officers are female
Rianti’s childhood dream was to serve in the Indonesian National Armed Forces. So when she turned 20 last year, she signed up for entry tests for a military posting in Jayapura, the provincial capital of Papua. She was told that the first day involved only administrative paperwork. When she saw women walking in and out of a small room in the test centre, though, she became curious.
“I didn’t know why they were being called into the room, but I remember the women’s expressions when they walked out. They looked grim,” says Rianti, who asks that her real name be withheld to protect her privacy.
When it was finally her turn, Rianti walked in with three other young female candidates. Inside the room, four medical staff – three men and one woman – were waiting. Rianti was told to undress and put on a gown for a health examination. She could feel her heart sink when she found out she was about to undergo a virginity test.
Once Rianti had laid down on one of the hospital beds, a male doctor inserted two fingers into the opening of her vagina to determine whether her hymen was still intact. Meanwhile, the woman on the medical team held up a flashlight while mumbling something inaudible.
“I just wanted it to be over as quickly as possible. It felt like the longest few minutes of my life. I had never been touched by a man before, it was humiliating. I was shocked,” Rianti says.
