The South Africa Human Rights Groups has condemned the scheme which offers female students scholarships to girls in rural South Africa if they can prove they are virgins.
According to BBC News that Thubelihle Dlodlo is nervous about leaving home in Emcitsheni village in rural KwaZulu-Natal. The 18-year-old has won a prized scholarship, but there is a catch: she only qualifies for the funding if she keeps her virginity.
“Remaining a virgin is my only chance to get an education because my parents can’t afford to take me to school,” she says.
To continue receiving her funding, Ms Dlodlo has to undergo regular virginity tests but she says she does not mind.
“Virginity testing is part of my culture, it is not an invasion of my privacy and I feel proud after I’m confirmed to be pure.”
The retired nurse who conducts virginity tests on young women agrees that her methods are not scientific but says she looks out for certain signs to prove that the girl are still virgin.
However, South Africa already has the highest number of people living with HIV in the world, but what is even more alarming is that the highest new HIV infections are amongst young women aged 15-24. And this could be be major reasons why South African mayor offers virgin scholarships.
So therefore the South African Human Rights Commission has said it will investigate whether the scholarships are against the constitution.
Do you think the idea of giving scholarship to virgins – adopted by South African mayor is a welcome idea??? Use the comment box below to say your own point of view.
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