They Took My Choice Away
- Author:
- Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa
- Publisher:
- Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa
- Publication Date:
- 18 March 2011
- Tags:
- Namibia, Pregnancy and Childbirth, Human Rights, Legal and Judicial Affairs
Hilma discovered that she was sterilized only after the fact. The procedure was performed without her informed consent during a caesarean operation.
Although she gave birth to two healthy boys, her doctor decided she should not be allowed to have more children because she is living with HIV. Thousands of women throughout Southern Africa have had their right to have a child taken away from them.
Forced and coerced sterilization are a grave violation of human rights and medical ethics and can be described as acts of torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. Although sterilization may be carried out by individual health providers, it is ultimately the responsibility of governments to prevent such abuses from taking place.
The Campaign to Stop Torture in Health Care is working worldwide to hold governments accountable and put an end to human rights violations and abuses in health care settings. Join the campaign: http://www.stoptortureinhealthcare.org/
Forced Sterilisation Trials Begin in Namibia
- Women Petition Against Forced Sterilisation
- Forced Sterilisation Trials Begin in Country
- Sterilisation Case in Court
- Are Women Being Forcibly Sterilised?
- World Attention Falls On Nam Sterilisation Case
- Sterilised Woman Speaks Out
- Women Want Forced Sterilisation Busted
- Nappa Speaks Out On Forced Sterilisation
- Marching for the Right to Choose
- HIV Positive Women Sue Government for Alleged Forced Sterilisation
- No Coerced Sterilisation of HIV+ Women - Kamwi
- Woman Sues Government Over Sterilization
