Chamber to ban virginity certificates in current legislative period

A new Luxembourg law will forbid doctors from issuing certificates to prove a woman has never had sexual intercourse. On Wednesday, Minister of Health Martine Deprez stated this law would be intended for introduction during the current legislative period. But, the fact that the issue of virginity certificates is being addressed in politics in the first place is all due to a petition dated years ago.

The petitioners welcomed the fact that their efforts had made it into the coalition agreement and praised the intention to outlaw virginity certificates in Luxembourg. Gilbert Pregno, former president of the Consultative Human Rights Commission, said the certificates not only lack any scientific basis, but also humiliate the girls and women forced to undergo these "checks" by their families. Deprez expressed her shock at the fact such documents existed, when it is not at all possible to prove whether a girl or woman has had sex before. She emphasised the ban should not consist of "just a sentence somewhere in a text", but instead the right of women to decide for themselves should be significantly strengthened.

In addition, the new law should combat all sexual discrimination while safeguarding the dignity of women.

Hands tied without the law 

Petitioners Sandra Dessi and Enji Ismaili work in a secondary school and say they were both approached for help by female students at around the same time. However, as virginity certificates were not explicitly forbidden by Luxembourg law, the educators' hands were tied. Isabelle Schmoetten, director of the  'CID Fraen an Gender' association to support women, said she welcomed the news that the law would change, but better explanation would be required alongside a clear ban. Far too often, girls and women's sexuality is judged differently than that of boys and men, with persistent stereotypes and discrimination leading to the continuation of patriarchal practices, such as virginity certificates, according to Schmoetten.

The petitioners emphasised that the ban was not to target specific religions or cultures, but instead should serve to create discussion around the language and attitudes towards women, girls and sex. These harmful mentalities tend to permeate all of society, regardless of culture.

In order to raise awareness, Dessi highlighted the ban in France, where the law stipulates that any medical practitioner facing such a request is required to file a report. These reports are not necessarily designed to lead to punishment, but offers the authorities a way of reaching out to people affected and providing information to patients' parents and families.

Committee president Francine Closener promised the Chamber of Deputies would closely observe the development of the new law, adding that it should go beyond the ban alone. MPs plan to focus on the awareness component as well, and would follow the government's implementation of this important point.