Indicator 3.4.3

Tests for virginity sometimes take place in some parts of the world as a custom and practice, with the social expectation that women and girls should remain ‘virgins’ until they are married.
The term ‘virginity’, as used in this way, is not a medical or scientific term, but a social and cultural construct that reflects discrimination against women and girls.
It is discrimination if a woman is tested for pregnancy during recruitment.
This indicator helps:
- prevent this kind of discrimination by ensuring that testing for pregnancy or virginity is not permitted
- protect women against unnecessary and potentially invasive tests.
- The ASC Farm Standard does not permit testing for pregnancy during recruitment or ongoing employment but having a company policy that states that pregnancies need to be declared from a certain point onwards, for health and safety reasons, is appropriate and can be necessary for safeguarding a mother and baby’s health.