Women's groups are calling for the resignation of Isilay Saygin, Women and Family Affairs Minister, after she made comments that the virginity tests are a "deterrent" and protect girls "from defamation."
In conservative sections of Turkey, relatives routinely gather outside the bedroom of a honeymoon couple to make sure the sheets are stained with blood, as prescribed in the Old Testament.
Against strong opposition by the Islamic Welfare Party, Turkey's parliament passed legislation in early January allowing husbands to be indicted for domestic abuse, even if wives refuse to press charges.
A 1994 study showed that 34% of married women in 12 Turkish provinces were beaten by their husbands. In 1997, the mayor of Konya published a marriage guide saying Islam allows men to "gently" beat wives.
Egypt Upholds Mutilation Ban Egypt's high court issued a ruling on Dec. 28 upholding a Health Ministry decision to ban government-certified workers from performing female genital mutilation.
Medical workers face three years in prison and hospitals risk closure for performing "female circumcision," which clerics insist is required by Islam. The Supreme Administrative Court ruled that the procedure is not one of Islam's dictates, and is thus subject to Egyptian law. Many in Africa and Moslem Asia brutally mutilate the genitals of girls before puberty, causing death, life-long trauma, infections, and increasing maternal mortality.
As a judge he upheld amputation of limbs as punishment for theft, blasphemy laws and a ruling requiring four male witnesses for a rape conviction.
Tarar has written: "In a country where the sanctity of the prophet's name and his personality is the basis for the existence of that country . . . miscreants who commit blasphemy should be given the death sentence to prevent turmoil."
"His election as president will go well for Islamization of the country," approved Islamic leader Hasan Turabi.
The Koran, like the Christian Bible, teaches that a husband is next in command to God.
Pedophilia has been practiced a long time in Africa, according to prominent women's rights activist Constance Yai. Pre-adolescent marriages are common through sub-Saharan Africa, and are particularly widespread in countries with large Muslim populations. Girls are sold into marriage, with their families receiving dowries.
Turning children into sex slaves and drudges is partly responsible for making Africa's maternal mortality rates the highest in the world, where it is not unusual for both mother and child to die.
Drawing attention to the plight of child brides was a murder in 1996, when 12-year-old Fanta Keita killed her 30-year-old husband after undergoing nightly battery and rape. She is still awaiting trial.
Survivors described attackers slitting throats, cutting off heads and bashing babies against walls. In early January, during the weekend of the sixth anniversary of the cancellation of national elections apparently favoring the Islamic Salvation Front, about 400 mountain villagers were bombed, shot, knifed or hacked to death, many at a movie hall.
Fighters often kidnap and rape women before killing them.
According to news reports and the Reproductive Freedom News, a woman with burns over more than 80% of her body was turned away from a hospital; two women in mid-labor were thrown out of a maternity ward; a comatose girl was barred from an emergency room, and a young woman with active TB was sent home.
Since September, five of Kabul's 22 hospitals have wholly or partially suspended care for women. Predictions are that by March, there may not be even secondary health services available to women.