Zulus Eagerly Defy Ban on Virginity Test

Aigerim Sabralieva

Reflection paper #3

Zulus Eagerly Defy Ban on Virginity Test

South Africa's Progressive Constitution Collides With Tribal Customs

Above the headline article can be a lot of discussion and debate. Value of the Constitution or laws of the customs and traditions have always interested me.

That must contain the law, the more important law of the country - the Constitution? Of course the theory of state and law is known, that were initially habits, then habits, and then the norms were formed.

Now, when there are supranational institutions and organizations, the question arises as to how the Constitution and rules correspond to the realities of life, the definition of society? And the article published by Karin Brulliard Washington Post Foreign Service, September 26, 2008in The Washington Post, S. Africa's Progressive Constitution Collides with Tribal Customs, gives cause to think about it.

Of course, that health of the nation, its security is very important for the state. One of the functions of the state is to ensure public health.

Many sources say that AIDS is a disease appeared and began its spread out of Africa. But states should not be hiding behind the lofty aims to ensure the nation's health, combating teenage pregnancy, AIDS impose such humiliating procedures, and the name of a Zulu "inspection" of her genitals.

Zulus here, who say it is a way to curb teenage pregnancy and AIDS, defiantly embrace the practice. In modern society, in the 21 century are known and there are many preventive measures to combat AIDS, such asAIDS tests. And to my knowledge, many international organizations such as the World Bank ( United Nation ( agencies specially created programs for HIV and AIDS in Africa.

So I think the argument because of the spread of AIDS is not justified.

Here, in my opinion, the acute problem of a clash of traditions, human rights and the realities of 21 century. Where questions of identity and identification of peoples and nations are no longer absolute. And the economic dependence of poor countries from rich leads to egalitarianism.

No, I'm not for what would be in our countries to introduce such a virginity test, no. But I think that our world is so beautiful and that we are all different. And men and nations should have a choice! And this choice is that everyone is free to choose how he wants to live his short life.

After the article I thought about my country and our customs.

I'm from Central Asia, the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.

And my country is not far from Europe, since 1991 an independent state. But my people have preserved traditions and customs that I think are unfair. It is bride kidnapping, also known as marriage by abduction or marriage by capture, is a practice throughout history and around the world in which a man abducts the woman he wishes to marry( (

And despite the fact that a Constitution, the Family, a Civil and Criminal Codes, but in rural areas brides steal. The Freedom House project was implemented to reduce the number of theft prevention bride kidnappingin Kyrgyzstan (

As a result, the film was made on this subject, but the number of cases has not changed. What does this show? The fact that those who are faced with this, arrange these traditions and they perceive it as an identity. When I was 16 years old and I went to visit his grandmother in the village. Neighbors jokingly began to discuss whether I will have to steal and make a bride. To which I replied that'll give in this case, the police and all were convicted. And the next day went to town.

Do all live under the laws?

In developing and third world, in my view the Constitution and laws is just a declaration. Someone from the general public knows about these laws, if only 10-20% of the population of Africa able to read?

People on the similarity of Zulu people live and will live by their own unwritten but understood by law.

And it is not our job to teach them life. Sooner or later those old grandmother - the healer die, and with them may disappear and tradition.

These traditions will continue to exist until they believe.

For whom and under whose influence a rich country, was adopted by the New Progressive Constitution? Who needs it? If the population continues to live as used, it means a stranger to the constitution. Not for the Zulu`s people.I agreewiththe idea: "They say the constitution does try to be all things for all people," said Phathekile Holomisa, president of the Congress of Traditional Leaders, a lobbying group. "But it also says those cultural practices must be subject to the bill of rights and the constitution. The interpretation has so far been negative toward African cultural practices."

The questionof the relationship betweenlawandmoralitywill always berelevant. Andthoseinterested inthe world.

Persona unique being and canadaptto anyconditionsand survive.