Military's virginity ruling, 'a rights violation'
Military's virginity ruling, 'a rights violation'
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Women took their turn on Thursday to berate the Indonesian
Military (TNI) for human rights abuses -- outside of the
courtroom.
A student activist from South Kalimantan braved the presence
of former TNI chief Gen. (ret) Wiranto at a discussion on the
military to denounce the long-standing, gender-biased practice of
requiring female applicants to the military academy to prove they
are virgins.
"Why only women? Male applicants do not have to meet such a
requirement. How serious is the TNI in encouraging women to join
the military?" Emy Lasari of the Alliance of Student Executive
Bodies said as quoted by Antara.
"The practice violates the principals of human rights," she
said.
Wiranto said that he was unaware this ruling on virginity was
still in effect.
"I agree with you that such a requirement is no longer
necessary. The issue was raised when we discussed reform in the
TNI," he said.
Wiranto, who is often linked to past human rights abuses by
the TNI, however, said the ruling could not be strictly
categorized as a rights violation.
"It does, perhaps, affect the protection and promotion of
human rights," he said.
The School of Public Administration is another state
institution which bans non-virgins from taking the admission
test.
Female applicants to the military academy are given an
examination by women officers to verify their virginity.
The military academy only admits high school graduates.
General requirements for entrance also include an above-standard
grade point average, a minimum height of 165 centimeters for men
and 150 centimeters for women and non-involvement with outlawed
organizations.
Emy, a student at Banjarmasin School of Economy, is a frequent
participant in rallies demanding equal treatment for women.
The discussion on Thursday centered on the role and position
of the TNI ahead of the 2004 elections, and its contribution to
human rights promotion and protection in the country.