Virginity Should Not Define A Person’s Worth - Dr Aminarh

Virginity may remain important to some people for religious and personal reasons, but it should not become a measure of a person’s value, according to Dr Christian Aminarh.

Speaking on the Big Convo segment of the Culture Daily Morning Show on 3Music TV and Pluzz 89.9 FM, Dr Aminarh said virginity is largely a social, cultural and religious concept rather than a medical diagnosis.

The discussion examined whether virginity remains a major issue in 2026 and why women in particular continue to face social expectations around it.

Dr Aminarh said people may choose to remain virgins because of their religious or personal convictions, but that decision should not be used to humiliate or judge people who have different experiences.

He also warned against treating virginity as a form of value that determines whether a woman deserves respect or a better marriage.

The conversation highlighted the experiences of people who lose their virginity through circumstances beyond their control, including sexual abuse.

Dr Aminarh said society must also recognise that males can be victims of sexual abuse and may struggle to speak about their experiences because of expectations about masculinity.

The WHO says the concept of virginity is a social, cultural and religious construct rather than a medical or scientific one. It has also warned that virginity testing can reinforce gender stereotypes and discrimination against women and girls.

The doctor said people should therefore be careful about attaching a person’s identity or worth to their sexual history.

The discussion also touched on religious teachings about sex and marriage. Participants noted that some Christians view sexual intimacy as something intended for marriage, while also arguing that religious beliefs should not become a basis for humiliating or abusing people.

Dr Aminarh said virginity can be spiritually significant to an individual without becoming their entire identity. He also called for greater openness about sexual abuse against both women and men, particularly because victims may remain silent because of social stigma.