The Controversial Recruitment Practices for Women in Indonesia's Police Force

Strange Practices in Indonesia

In various parts of the world, there are peculiar practices that can leave one astonished. Some countries, however, stand out for their unusual customs. Today, we delve into Indonesia, a nation where certain recruitment practices for women in the police force are quite shocking.

Challenges for Women Aspiring to Join the Police in Indonesia:

While becoming a police officer is relatively straightforward for women in many countries, Indonesia presents a different scenario. To qualify for the police force, women must be between the ages of 17.5 and 22, unmarried, and possess a higher education degree. This might seem reasonable, but the subsequent requirements are mind-boggling. Women are required to provide proof of their virginity before being accepted into the police force.

It may come as a surprise that women undergo virginity tests as part of the recruitment process. This test, often referred to as the 'two-finger test,' is typically conducted to ascertain whether a woman has been sexually assaulted. The test examines the elasticity of the vagina, and the number of fingers inserted is used by doctors to determine if the woman is sexually active.

Moreover, women aspiring to join the police must also showcase their physical attractiveness to selection officials, who are exclusively male. Only those deemed conventionally beautiful are selected. The Indonesian police force was established in 1946, following the country's independence. It is important to note that no such law exists in India that permits doctors to conduct these tests. However, in Indonesia, women seeking police positions must prove their virginity, which means they must not have engaged in sexual relations.

The two-finger test is highly controversial and has been condemned by Amnesty International as degrading and a violation of human rights. In fact, it has been declared illegal in several countries.