Iranian women who need a certificate of virginity for marriage

Virginity is often a source of anxiety and worry for couples, but women are more prone to it

In Iran, virginity prior to marriage is very important to many girls and their parents.

In some cases, men demand a certificate of virginity, a practice that the World Health Organization considers a human rights violation but which has seen a number of people campaign against it over the past year.

You married me by deception because you are not a virgin and no one would have married you after knowing this fact. That's why husband of Mrs Maryam told her after they had intercourse for the first time.

This is not uncommon in Iran that after getting engaged, many women go to the doctor and get a test that proves they've never had sex. However, according to the WHO, there is no scientific evidence for virginity testing.

Maryam's certificate stated that her hymen type was 'flexible'. This means that they cannot bleed after intercourse.

She said, "It hurt my dignity." I didn't do anything wrong, but my husband kept insulting me. She added that she couldn't survive anymore, therefore, she took pills and tried to commit suicide."

She was taken to the hospital in time and survived. I will never forget those dark days. During this time, my weight had decreased by 20 kg.

Demands to end this process

Maryam's story is the reality of many women in Iran. Being a virgin before marriage is still very important to many girls and their families. It is a value rooted in cultural conservatism.

But now things have started to change there. Women and men across the country are campaigning to end virginity testing.

Last November, an online petition garnered nearly 25,000 signatures in a month. It was the first time that virginity testing was openly challenged by so many people in Iran.

"This is a violation of privacy, and it is humiliating," Neda said.

She lost her virginity to her boyfriend when she was 17 while studying in Tehran. I was scared what would happen if my family found out. So Neda thought of restoring her hymen.

Technically, this procedure is not illegal but it has dangerous social implications, so no hospital will agree to do it. So Neda found a private clinic that agreed to do it secretly but at a hefty price.

She says 'I have deposited all my savings. I sold my laptop, my mobile phone and my gold jewelry. Along with this, they have to sign a document to accept full responsibility in case something goes wrong.

A midwife then performed the procedure, which took about 40 minutes. But Neda needed several weeks to recover. I was in a lot of pain. I could not move my legs.

She kept the whole thing hidden from her parents. "I was feeling very lonely. But I think the fear of them finding out helped me bear the pain."

But the purpose for which Neda endured so much ordeal failed. A year later, she met a man who wanted to marry her, but Neda did not bleed when they had sex. The hymen restoration procedure had failed. 'My boyfriend accused me of cheating on him. He said I was a liar and left me'.