France Outlaws Virginity Certificates, Strengthens Anti-Polygamy Laws

Almost unanimously, the deputies present in the National Assembly voted to ban virginity certificates and toughen the fight against polygamy. Article 16, aimed at prohibiting health professionals from issuing virginity certificates, had been at the heart of a major controversy within the Hemicycle for several months. On Monday evening, not only did the deputies adopt by a near-majority the ban on virginity certificates, but they added a prison sentence of up to one year and a fine of 15,000 euros for any individual who would issue this type of certificate.

Among the political actors, the rejection of these certificates is quite widespread. The Minister in charge of Citizenship, Marlène Schiappa, denounced the very principle of these "barbaric practices" which undermine "human dignity" and gathered, on this consideration, the majority of the political groups. Nevertheless, Les Républicains, La France insoumise or the communist deputy Elsa Faucillon questioned the final effectiveness of such a measure targeting the entire medical profession. Eric Coquerel of LFI even regretted the absence of a study to gauge the real importance of the practice of virginity certificates, while Marlène Schiappa sees there only a return of "invisible violence".

Knowing the weight and role that the family environment plays in obtaining these certificates, several elected officials have introduced new sanctions. Modem deputy Perrine Goulet also introduced a provision that was adopted, against the advice of the majority in the Assembly. She wishes to penalize the practices of certain Gypsy cultures, such as the handkerchief ceremony or that of the "white sheet" by which certain families want and claim to be able to demonstrate the virginity of a young bride before her marriage.

Some elected officials like the LFI deputy Clémentine Autin and the NGO Action Droits des Musulmans consider that these measures "stigmatize Muslims". It was after a long debate that the deputies unanimously voted this time on Article 14 of the bill aimed at amending the law on foreigners and asylum in order to introduce a general reservation of polygamy for the issuance of all residence permits. The Minister of Citizenship, Marlène Schiappa, considers that polygamy is an "obstacle to the rights of women" and maintains that "30,000 adults are affected by this situation in France".