In a move that underscores a growing urgency to protect women’s rights, the Swedish government has announced plans to criminalize so-called virginity tests and related procedures. The controversial practice, which has no scientific basis and has long been denounced by health authorities, is currently not illegal under Swedish law—but that’s about to change.
Under the proposed legislation, healthcare providers who perform “virginity checks,” issue “purity certificates,” or conduct hymen reconstruction surgeries could soon face criminal prosecution. The reform is set to take effect by December 2025, according to Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen). The agency stated the goal is clear: to ensure those involved in these practices can be charged and convicted—something that, astonishingly, isn’t possible under existing regulations.
“This is about safeguarding girls’ and women’s bodily autonomy,” the agency explained, stressing that the current system, which allows for only professional discipline, falls woefully short.
The World Health Organization and UN Women have both condemned virginity testing as a form of gender-based violence. Back in 2018, the WHO called for a global ban, describing the practice as not only scientifically baseless but also a violation of fundamental human rights.
While often associated with traditional norms in some Muslim-majority countries, virginity testing has gained a foothold in Western nations as well—particularly within certain immigrant communities. A Swedish government report noted that while the issue doesn’t appear widespread domestically, it’s likely underreported. Officials warn that many women may be taken abroad to undergo these procedures, often without their consent.
Equality Minister Nina Larsson linked the practice to a broader pattern of so-called honor-based violence, noting the collective pressure that can exist within families where a woman’s sexuality is seen as a reflection on the entire household.
These concerns have been tragically underscored by a recent high-profile murder in Eskilstuna, near Stockholm. A 27-year-old woman was killed in what prosecutors are calling an honor killing. According to court documents, she had been trying to leave her husband for years. He, along with six family members—including his mother and brother—now stands accused of orchestrating and carrying out the premeditated murder.
Investigators say the husband’s mother even attempted to hire a hitman weeks before the murder. Other relatives allegedly helped him flee the country and tried to cover up the crime. Swedish authorities eventually tracked him down in Greece, where he was arrested with his mother three weeks after the killing.
“All things considered, the motive behind this gruesome act appears to be the perceived need to restore the family’s honor,” prosecutor Tobias Lindblom told the court.
Despite a mountain of evidence—ranging from digital messages to witness testimony—all seven defendants deny the charges.
With the legislative crackdown on virginity tests and the heightened focus on honor-related crimes, Sweden seems determined to close legal gaps and send a clear message: women’s rights and safety aren’t up for debate.
