Doctors in Russia have been ordered by the Health Minister, Vladimir Shuldyakov, to perform virginity test on all underage girls in the country, according to reports from Daily Mail Online.
The order instructs doctors to check the “integrity of the hymen” and look for signs of damage.
According to the reports, the directive which was given through the Russian Investigative Committee (RIC) was to gain evidence of sexual activity in girls under the age of 16.
But the order has sparked public outcry from gynaecologists and politicians alike who believe the checks will dissuade young girls from seeing the doctor when they need to.
However, the health minister – Vladimir Shuldyakov – maintains that doctors must follow the order and “inform police about all cases when virginity was lost as well as about cases of pregnancies and abortions involving girls under 16 years old.”
It comes just months after domestic violence was partially decriminalized in the country, where women’s rights remain lacking.