In Pakistan’s Punjab province, a female doctor named Dr Aliza Gill was fired from her position for performing a virginity test on a minor rape victim, despite the practice being banned. The Punjab government terminated her service on Tuesday.
During a hearing on Tuesday, Lahore High Court (LHC) justice Farooq Haider took serious notice of a case involving a 10-year-old rape victim who was subjected to the two-finger test by Dr Gill.The judge said “Under no circumstances, the test can be performed or documented in the medicolegal report”.
In 2020, the LHC prohibited the use of the two-finger virginity test in rape examinations, deeming it “humiliating having no forensic value”.
Justice Farooq also expressed concern over the continued practice of the test in hospitals, despite the ban, and noted that doctors are issuing medical certificates against the law. “This is a very serious matter and should not go unnoticed,” he said.
The Punjab government informed the court that they had terminated Dr Gill’s services for conducting the virginity test on the minor rape victim. They also said that, in accordance with the LHC judgement, instructions have been issued to doctors throughout the province regarding the medicolegal examination of female sexual assault victims, emphasizing that the virginity test must not be performed or documented in the medicolegal report.
Raj Maqsood, the government’s counsel, informed the LHC that the Surgeon Medical Officer of Punjab has also recommended the formation of a new medical board to examine the victim.
The hearing was adjourned till Thursday, with the judge reiterating the importance of adherence to legal protocols and the need for thorough investigation and accountability in cases of sexual assault, Dawn reported.
During a hearing on Tuesday, Lahore High Court (LHC) justice Farooq Haider took serious notice of a case involving a 10-year-old rape victim who was subjected to the two-finger test by Dr Gill.The judge said “Under no circumstances, the test can be performed or documented in the medicolegal report”.
In 2020, the LHC prohibited the use of the two-finger virginity test in rape examinations, deeming it “humiliating having no forensic value”.
Justice Farooq also expressed concern over the continued practice of the test in hospitals, despite the ban, and noted that doctors are issuing medical certificates against the law. “This is a very serious matter and should not go unnoticed,” he said.
The Punjab government informed the court that they had terminated Dr Gill’s services for conducting the virginity test on the minor rape victim. They also said that, in accordance with the LHC judgement, instructions have been issued to doctors throughout the province regarding the medicolegal examination of female sexual assault victims, emphasizing that the virginity test must not be performed or documented in the medicolegal report.
Raj Maqsood, the government’s counsel, informed the LHC that the Surgeon Medical Officer of Punjab has also recommended the formation of a new medical board to examine the victim.
The hearing was adjourned till Thursday, with the judge reiterating the importance of adherence to legal protocols and the need for thorough investigation and accountability in cases of sexual assault, Dawn reported.
