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.