Thread: Indonesian army set to remove so-called "virginity testing"

Human Rights Watch says the practice has been going on for "decades".(Supplied: Kompas/Kristian Erdianto)

Indonesia's Army appears to be ending invasive "virginity testing" for female recruits, according to Human Rights Watch

Key points:

• Health tests for female cadets will now be in line with their male counterparts
• Medical health checks will no longer be required for prospective brides and grooms of armed forces
• The new policies have not been officially formalised

General Andika Perkasa, chief of staff of the Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Darat (TNI AD), last month announced the health test requirements for female cadets would no longer be different to those of their male counterparts.

"Health checks on prospective soldiers of the Women's Army Corps must be the same as medical examination requirements for male TNI AD soldiers," he said in a video uploaded to the military's official YouTube channel.

"Health checks on matters that are not relevant to the purpose of recruitment will no longer be carried out."

General Perkasa also said medical health checks would no longer be required for soldiers' prospective brides and grooms.

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