Indonesian Official Apologises For Claiming "Strong Sperm" In Pools Can Impregnate Women
She initially claimed that women could get pregnant even without penetration.
By Tamara Jayne — 28 Feb 2020, 09:19 AM
An Indonesian Child Protection Commissioner has apologised after claiming that women who swim in public pools with men could get impregnated by "strong sperm"
In an interview with Tribun Jakarta on Friday, 21 February, Sitti Hikmawatty claimed that there is a type of strong male sperm that can get women pregnant while they swim.
"Even without penetration, men may become sexually excited [by women in the pool] and ejaculate, therefore causing a pregnancy," she said, during the interview.
Her controversial comments received backlash and even caught the attention of Indonesian Doctors Association executive Nazar who immediately refuted her statements
According to The Jakarta Post, Nazar responded by saying that swimming pools have chlorine and other chemicals, so sperm will not be able to live in such conditions.
In other words, even if a group of boys ejaculated into a crowded swimming pool full of fertile women, they will not get pregnant.
Aside from the chlorine killing it, Planned Parenthood clarifies that sperm cells are quite delicate and will be separated from its protective fluid once it hits the water.
Sitti, who is a commissioner for health, narcotics and addictive substances, has since admitted that her statements are "inaccurate"
In a press release on Sunday, 23 February, The Jakarta Post quoted the official saying that it was a personal statement and not from the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI).
However, she has already received wide criticism both online and offline, as several came up with memes in relation to the bizarre claims.
"The importance of proper sex education," a comic strip captioned its tweet of sperm swimming towards a woman.
"There are children asking where are their fathers?"
