Sworn Virgins of Albania by Jill Peters "Sworn Virgin" is the term given to a biological female in the Balkans who has chosen, usually at an early age, to take on the social identity of a man for life. Becoming a "Sworn Virgin" elevated a woman to the status of a man and granted her all the accompanying rights and privileges, rather than being the property of their husbands by tribal clan codes. Pictured: "Sworn Virgin," Skhurtan. Jill Peters