Windhoek — Bus loads of women and men with their mouths gagged with sellotape, marched from Katutura to the head office of the Ministry of Health and Social Services to hand over a petition to end forced sterilisations.
This was one of many mass actions in solidarity with three plaintiffs that are suing the ministry for alleged violation of their right to dignity, non-discrimination, and the right to start a family.
Similar solidarity events took place at the Namibian embassies in Pretoria, Lusaka, and Washington DC.
Sit-ins were also planned at the Ondangwa and Windhoek State hospitals.
"HIV-positive women are holding the healthcare system accountable for the wrongs done to them," said Veronica Kalambi of the Women's Health Network.
Kalambi said these alleged violations of women's rights are in the context of a broader set of violations occurring against women at hospitals and clinics.
"People should have peace of mind that if they are HIV-positive, they can still go to the hospital and be treated with dignity and equality," said Vicky Noa, who claims that she was sterilised in 2001. She organised the Ondangwa sit-in.
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The petition handed to the ministry said forced sterilisation of those with HIV is an emerging human rights issue.
In 2007, reports surfaced that women seeking medical care were allegedly subjected to sterilisation without their informed consent at two state hospitals.
In 2008, 15 cases were documented, "which appear to be merely the tip of the iceberg", said the petition.
The petition condemned the alleged forced sterilisation, and called for an end to it.
The petition said numerous human rights have been violated, including those guaranteed and protected by the Namibian Constitution and international treaties.
These are the right to liberty and security, to health, to found a family, reproductive health, family planning, privacy, equality, and the right to a life, and freedom from discrimination.
"We call on Government to send a clear message that it will not tolerate the violation of any woman's fundamental right to make free and informed decisions about her own body and health, particularly with regard to reproductive choices, and further that it is actively pursuing initiatives to end discrimination against people living with HIV," said the petition.
The demonstrators called on Government to issue a circular to both public and private health facilities to prohibit sterilisation without consent and to clearly lay out procedures that lead to informed consent.
They further asked for a review and update of current reproductive health policies to reflect the same, and said health workers should be trained on the rights of patients, including the right to informed consent.
The petition said health workers should receive adequate training on the need for patients to receive quality and non-discriminatory medical care, regardless of their HIV status.
It further calls for the establishment of an accessible complaint mechanism where violations of patients' rights can be reported.
The petitioners said they want a public enquiry into sterilisation without consent to ensure just compensation to these women. Another matter they want addressed is the option of sterilisation reversal.
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