Forced sterilization of young women with disabilities must end

Forced sterilization and other procedures infringing on sexual and reproductive integrity are part of a pattern of “systemic violence” being carried out on girls and young women with disabilities, and must be eradicated without delay, a UN expert on human rights and disability has said.

“We can no longer ignore the widespread practices of forced sterilization, forced abortion and forced contraception inflicted on girls and young women with disabilities around the world,” said Catalina Devandas, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of people with disabilities, presenting a report to the UN General Assembly.

“Discriminatory laws and policies are undermining the fundamental right of girls and young women with disabilities to exercise choice and have control over their bodies, violating their integrity and depriving them of dignity while promoting the interests of professionals and caregivers instead.”

The Special Rapporteur said States were failing to protect girls and young women with disabilities from the outrageous pain and irreversible harm which is inflicted on them under the guise of “best interests”.

Sterilization, hysterectomies, estrogen treatments and other procedures were being carried out against their will at the request and with the consent of judges, healthcare professionals, family members or legal guardians, she said.

Crimes against the sexual integrity and reproductive health of girls and young women with disabilities were persisting and being tolerated by society’s indifference to, or even trivialization of these gross human rights violations, Ms. Devandas said. As a result, there was a risk of people becoming trapped in a vicious and life-long cycle of violence.

The Special Rapporteur urged States to end this “systemic violence” by fully applying the human rights framework to the concerns of girls and young women with disabilities.

“States must immediately repeal all legislation allowing for the administration of any procedures impacting on the sexual and reproductive health and rights of girls and young women without their free and informed consent,” the Special Rapporteur said.

Sex education and health services had to be accessible to all women and girls with disabilities, to increase personal feelings of control and facilitate autonomous decision-making, she added.

“Girls and young women with disabilities are able to develop their own identities and realize their full potential only when their needs are met and when they feel safe,” Ms. Devandas stressed.

Original source: OHCHR.
Posted on 24 October 2017