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Project March 2, 2020

Silencing Stigmas: Virginity Testing in Morocco

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Global disparities in women's health education are especially pronounced in Morocco, where virginity tests exist and the virgin bride is still prized as untouched and pure. On the other hand, males are lauded when they engage in premarital sex, showcasing a double standard that is baked into the fabric of Moroccan society.

While scientists and global health organizations have declared that no test can prove a woman's virginity, such practices remain prevalent in Moroccan society due to taboos concerning feminine reproductive health, the use of the virginity certificate in legal and criminal cases, and meager support for women's rights.

This story follows the experiences of activists, doctors, researchers, and women who have interacted with the virginity test—providing them with a platform to voice their stories, eliminating the stigma that has silenced them for so long.

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