The Commission for Gender Equality in South Africa, has ruled that
awarding scholarship to girls who promise to stay virgins is
unconstitutional. Human rights organizations applauded the decision, saying that it was unfair to award scholarships to girls and not to boys.
On Friday, the panel ruled that the program is discriminatory because men were not subjected to the same tests.
Recipients of the scholarships, which were offered only to women, were
forced to undergo virginity tests every time they went home for the
holidays, and could lose their scholarships if determined that they had
sex.
In January, the UThukela District Municipality gave the Maidens Bursary Award, sparking outrage across the world.
The scholarship was criticized by the People Opposing Women Abuse
organization (POWA). POWA advocates ending the culture of virginity
tests as it violates the constitutional right to privacy.
POWA also believes that it is a discriminatory practice against girls as
boys are never tested for virginity despite being equally responsible
for the loss of virginity in girls.
This practice stigmatizes girls who could have lost her virginity
through rape or incest. The new virgin category of scholarships were the
idea of Mayor Dudu Mazibuko.
The girls agreed to be tested occasionally to ensure that they remain
virgins. Mazibuko said that the scholarships were intended to prevent
young women from getting involved with older men.
A municipality spokesperson said the scholarships were designed to encourage girls to remain pure and focus on their education.
