Master’s thesis: Virginity myths and virginity testing lead to people’s need for support in Finland too
Virginity testing is an old tradition that still lives on globally. Laurea’s Master degree programme’s student Ellimari Kortman’s thesis Holy hymen, the might of a small membrane — experiencers’ views about virginity testing reveals voices of people who have experiences about virginity testing. The thesis presents customer-oriented recommendations for health care and social work professionals based on these voices. There is a need to raise awareness about virginity testing and other honor-related violence among Finnish professionals to develop and ensure quality care and services.
High-cost license to marry or kill
Kortman selected the topic for the thesis because of her remarks in the field of social work. World Health Organization and various United Nations agencies have made statements about the ethical problems around virginity testing, why it is a harmful practice, a violation of human rights and have called for an end to the tests, yet in Finland virginity testing still seems to be a less known, and talked, topic in general.
Why is virginity tested and even repaired? In some communities, virginity is a precondition for marriage. Not only then the hymen defines a woman’s chastity and value it can determine the whole family’s, especially the men’s honor. If honor is lost, honor killing and ostracism might be attempts to recover the honor. This leaves girls and women between a rock and a hard place as an unscientific test that is required could cause lethal situations with bad results for reasons out of their control and then again refusing the test could do the same.
Virginity has grown from personal business to virginity business as money is involved. Virginity may increase the amount of bride price and dowry and some women are willing or forced to go through expensive risky surgeries in hopes of repairing or securing their hymens for the wedding night. In some countries virginity testing and hymenoplasty have been banned after active campaigning. Kortman believes Finland needs to have the public discussion soon as virginity myths can cost mental health and even life.
Let’s start the talk
The data was collected through an anonymous online survey in spring 2023 and analyzed using thematic analysis. There were five participants who produced 2567 words about their experiences, views and wishes related to virginity testing. One collective narrative was formed from the five different narratives to showcase the voices and different aspects to virginity testing. Virginity testing was experienced as objectifying, scary and traumatizing. The experiences highlighted the phenomenon’s violent nature and health care staff’s unprofessional and accusing behaviour. The results are parallel and in line with WHO’s and other health care and human rights organisations’ definitions, petitions and guidelines. The conclusions and recommendations of this thesis are that more education is needed about virginity testing, honor-related violence and violence in general among professionals, communities and individuals. The results and earlier international research indicates there is an unrecognised, hidden group of people in Finland who have needs for health care, psychoeducation and other support due to their experiences. Having virginity test related experiences is not visible and clients and patients might not speak about it hence it needs to be mapped by asking. Professionals should familiarize and utilize cultural sensitivity and trauma-informed approaches.
Further information:
Ellimari Kortman
Holy hymen, the might of a small membrane — experiencers’ views about virginity testing
Global Health and Crisis Management, Laurea University of Applied Sciences
ellimari.kortman@encourage.fi
+358 50 374 4568
