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Virginity testing ban draws criticism

    JOHANNESBURG

    The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA) on Saturday slammed a recent attempt by government to ban virginity testing, claiming the practice could help tackle HIV/AIDS in the hard-hit country.

    According to CONTRALESA head, Patekile Holomisa, the age-old tradition - to check if young girls' hymens are in tact - could prove key to curbing the spread of HIV by discouraging early sex among young people.

    "It helps children to continue to lead clean lives. It discourages promiscuity and if children are not promiscuous then we are not going to have instances of unwanted pregnancies but, most importantly, it ensures that the spread of HIV/AIDS is halted," Reuters quoted Holomisa as saying.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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