Throughout the world various problems plague the women of developing countries. One of these problems, virginity testing, is becoming increasingly detrimental to the wellbeing and development of gender equality in Turkey. This problem has its background in social and religious norms which span centuries in this region of the world and have created similar problems in nearly every other developing country as well. In Turkey, the issue of virginity testing has created hostile reactions and a movement to abolish this discrimination.
Muslim culture values virginity above all other virtues for an unwedded woman to possess (Webster Univ). Social reasons for virginity testing include verification of sexual intercourse between minors, certification intercourse took place prior to divorce, suspicions of immoral sexual behavior, forced marriage because of failed virginity exams, and certification of virginity before marriage (Webster Univ). Turkish law states husbands are the head of the family, and as such, women throughout the state are submissive to their fathers and/or husbands in all areas of life. Virginity is of the utmost importance for a new bride. It is even symbolized by the wearing of a red ribbon as a belt on their wedding day (Webster Univ).
Women are often subjected to these examinations forcefully. Canan Arin, an attorney in Istanbul, says this is done because, “This is a way for men to control women. Why do men want women to be untouched? It is a matter of power” (HRW). In Turkey the presumption of law is that “female virginity is a legitimate interest of the family, the community, and, ultimately, the state” (HRW). Forcible exams are justifiable and are seen as “overriding the individual rights of women to bodily integrity, privacy, and equality before the law” (HRW).
The problem arises due to the notion that a woman’s virginity represents her family’s honor. A young woman is expected to remain a virgin or a “girl” until she marries (HRW). If an unmarried woman is even believed to not be a virgin she has compromised her family’s honor and reputation (HRW). If a woman damages her honor, or that of her family, she has virtually ruined her possibility of becoming married. Ironically, in Turkey both male and female honor are based on the idea of only female chastity. Turkish law even reduces the punishment for murder if it is committed, “against a newly born child with the purpose of protecting the dignity and reputation of the offender or his wife, mother, daughter, grandchild, adopted daughter or sister” (HRW). This application of different standards on men and women has adversely affected the ability to accomplish gender equality in a developing nation such as Turkey.
There does seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel, however. A recent survey of 118 physicians in Turkey indicated 68% believed virginity examinations were inappropriate if sexual assault is not involved. 93% said they believed these exams were psychologically traumatic for their patients and 58% reported these patients undergo the exams against their will. Yet 45% of these same physicians conducted these exams for social reasons (Webster Univ). There is no doubt that virginity examinations constitute cruel and inhuman treatments. They are in violation of the guarantee of freedom from discrimination in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, all of which have been ratified by Turkey and therefore constitute law (Webster Univ). The Turkish Constitution even guarantees women’s right to privacy, yet these exams are performed on women applying for governmental jobs.
The most horrific part of these exams is the toll they take on women. Victims say they were forced to undress and undergo these exams (HRW). This is both degrading and intimidating because of the physical violation and the consequences involved with resistance. Nightmarish stories are told by women of Turkey who are actively engaged in outlawing virginity exams. One such woman was raped in her early teens. She told her family of the crime and when she failed to pass a virginity exam she was denied food and beaten for damaging her family’s honor (HRW). In 1992 two high school students committed suicide after school officials forced them to submit to virginity exams. In May 1992 a girl ran away from home after refusing to have an exam. She was found dead several days later and her father had the exam performed on his dead daughter (HRW). There are women groups combating the force involved with these exams. In Ankara these groups held a press conference where they denounced the practice of forcibly examining women and some government officials have joined their fight.
There are many solutions, the most obvious being to abolish the practice of these exams in Turkey. This abolishment would enforce strict penalties on men still performing these derogatory exams on women. Before this can be done, however, there must be a change in the mindset of the people of the nation. Education is the key to changing opinions with an issue such as this one and it is quite evident there is no movement to educate the people on the bias of these examinations. Until the people of Turkey are willing to change their opinions there is virtually no hope that this practice will end. However, the religious and social behaviors of centuries are slow to change. For now the outlook for abolishment of virginity exams is bleak and the problem is widely ignored by the rest of the world.

Reflections on Hotel Rwanda
The ethnic conflict in Rwanda finds it roots in several events caused by developed countries-the same as those of many of other developing countries. The Belgians ruled Rwanda for several decades. During this time they supported the Hutu’s, one of the groups in Rwanda. The other group, the Tutsi’s, were oppressed during this time and a sense of distrust and hatred naturally arose between the two. Upon the decision to grant Rwanda its independence, Belgium supported and helped place in power a Tutsi. This betrayal sparked even more hatred between the two groups. This problem had not been resolved before the time the United Nations peace resolution failed and the genocide began.

The onslaught of the genocide was thrust into the world’s eyes by the media. Though millions of people were watching the suffering of millions on their televisions the world’s greatest powers did not respond to urges to involve themselves in a resolution. The United Nations peacekeeping troops were ordered to not fire their weapons, but rather were forced to watch nearly a million Tutsi’s and Hutu moderates slaughtered. The failure to respond to this genocide was a disgraceful action by the world. Though I certainly understand that they were hesitant to involve their militaries in world affairs, these powers had a responsibility for the welfare of people who could not protect themselves. It would certainly not have been too much for these powers to send troops to end this conflict. In fact, in my opinion, it was essential and it is a shame it did not happen. The leaders of countries like America, France, and England will forever have to know they chose to not cease the murders of hundreds of thousands of innocent people.

I cannot begin to describe my reaction to this film. The suffering of these people makes me ashamed of the many blessings I have in my own life. Hearing of and reading about a genocide cannot compare to seeing a visual recreation of it. The idea that people could be, and were, murdered because of a difference in their skin color and “nose length” is preposterous and hard for people of the Western world to comprehend. This example of genocide should serve to awaken the West to the differences in cultures. The people of Rwanda are not as developed, educated, or prepared for the ideals we hold dear. Rather, ethnic conflict is a result of Western involvement in the parts of the world which they did not understand. It is vital that the West play a role in mending these tears between peoples of different ethnicities. Because we chose not to naturally separate the land based on the territories of these many ethnic groups, we are responsible for the modern conflicts we failed to foresee. The mistakes made in Rwanda must serve as a reminder of the requirements of helping to aid in resolving future conflict and saving the lives of many innocent people.