The case occurred in Najarmasin, southern Sulawesi. The husband had first sued his wife demanding US$ 5,000 for the love he showed her during the marriage. The wife has refused to pay. The parties have so far failed to reach an agreement.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) – A 27-year-old woman is demanding US$ 10,000 in compensation from her former husband for her lost virginity.

The case occurred in the city of Najarmasin, South Sulawesi, where she lived with her 31-year-old husband and son.

This is perhaps the first time that a woman in Indonesia sues a man, asking for monetary compensation for damages.

The two got married in 2008, and lived together until 2011, when the husband's loss of employment undermined the couple’s unity.

She went before the religious court in Makassar district to apply for divorce and her husband said he was happy to put an end to their legal relationship.

However, he eventually sued his wife for 50 million rupees (about US$ 5,000) as compensation for his commitment and passionate love during the years of marriage. The court accepted his request and ordered her to pay.

She fought back through her lawyer by countersuing the husband with a demand for compensation for her lost virginity. “I did this to counter my (former) husband’s greed. If he pursues his case, I will do the same with mine.”

Every attempt by the court to reach a compromise between the two parties has failed so far.

A similar case was recorded in Surabaya, East Java, where a woman filed a complaint against her former husband asking for 5 billion rupees (US$ 500,000) for her lost virginity.

In Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, women are often subject to discrimination and limited rights. Last June, the province of Aceh imposed a mandatory curfew only on women, ostensibly to reduce cases of sexual violence.

Last year, polygamy was also reintroduced upon payment of a small fee.

• indonesia
• marriage
• divorce
• virginity
• love
• loss
• compensation
• religious
• court