A female doctor named Dr. Aliza Gill working in Punjab Province, Pakistan lost her job at a hospital for conducting a virginity test on a minor who had been raped even though this practice was banned. The Punjab Government terminated her service on Tuesday.
During the hearing of the case on Tuesday, Lahore High Court (LHC) justice Farooq Haider took serious notice of the case of a 10-year-old rape victim who was subjected to two-finger test by Dr Gill. The judge said “Under no circumstances, can the test be done or documented in medicolegal reports”.
In 2020, LHC also ruled that two finger test should not be used for examining rape victims declaring it as humiliating and with no forensic value.
Justice Farooq expressed concern over continuation of these tests in hospitals against their ban and stated that doctors are giving medical certificates defying the law. “It is highly alarming and cannot be allowed to pass without cognizance,” he added.
The government of Punjab told the court that they have ended up terminating Dr Gill’s employment following her conduction of virginity examination on a minor rape victim as per a statement recorded at LHC while giving orders throughout the province regarding medical legal examination of females having subjected to sexual assault where it should not include virginity testing as part of its content.
According to Raj Maqsood, government counsel, Surgeon Medical Officer Punjab has also suggested another medical board to examine the victim.
According to Dawn, ”the hearing was adjourned till Thursday with judge reasserting importance for adherence to legal protocols and needful thorough investigation and accountability in cases related with sexual assault.”
