GETTY/EgyptianDailyNews Egyptian MP Elhamy Agina has proposed mandatory virginity tests

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Controversial lawmaker Elhamy Agina proposed new legislation making it a legal requirement for all female students to undergo an intrusive virginity test, the results of which would be sent to their parents. The outrageous plan has caused uproar even in religiously conservative Egypt, where prominent female journalists and commentators have branded it stupid and sexist.

Mr Agina, who has got in hot water over his remarks towards women before, made the proposal in an address to the Egyptian Minister of Higher Education yesterday. Under his plan the Government would issue a new law making mandatory virginity tests a requirement for any future female students to gain a place at university.

I see #Egyptian parliamentarian Elhamy Agena's obsession with women's vaginas continues - https://t.co/9edUtNA8U3 — Mona Eltahawy (@monaeltahawy) September 30, 2016

How about we have mandatory IQ tests for politicians who aim to mandate nonsense like this? https://t.co/2PuZrrvDmg #Egypt #Masr — Jacky Habib (@JackyHabib) September 30, 2016

He said: “Any girl who enters university, we have to check her medical examination to prove that she is a Miss (a term often used to refer to virgins in Egyptian culture). “Therefore, each girl must present an official document upon being admitted to university stating she’s a Miss.” The ultra-conservative MP said he was putting forward the proposal in a bid to reduce the number of so-called ‘urfi marriages’ - which he disapproves of - taking place in the country. Urfi marriages do not require the approval of the bride’s guardian, and only two witnesses need to be present, meaning they are often used by young lovers to get hitched without the knowledge of their families.

These marriages are on the rise in Egypt, especially among young couples who cannot afford large, expensive wedding ceremonies or those who have ultra-religious parents. Mr Agina said: “No one should be upset by this decision. If you’re upset then that means you’re scared that your daughter is in an ‘urfi’ marriage behind your back.” He added that, in order to deter both men and women from entering into undocumented marriages, the parents will be immediately notified if their daughter fails a virginity test. The controversial remarks have caused a wave of criticism online, with prominent Egyptian women slamming the outspoken MP’s views. High-profile feminist Mona Eltahawy took a swipe at Mr Agina’s previous remarks against women, accusing him of having an “obsession with women’s vaginas”. And the journalist Jacky Habib sarcastically asked: “How about we have mandatory IQ tests for politicians who aim to mandate nonsense like this?” Following a media firestorm the politician was later forced to back down from his statements, claiming that he was only making a “suggestion” and was not demanding a change to the law.

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