Non-consensual sterilization of women living with HIV

Abstract

Women living with HIV are stigmatized and discriminated against. They often wish to have children, but they are subjected to the practice of forced (involuntary) sterilization in at least 27 countries under the guise of protecting maternal health and preventing the birth of infected infants. Some women are not asked to give consent, or a third party consents on their behalf. Others are given insufficient information or fed misinformation. The circumstances under which such women have been asked to sign consent forms for sterilization include fear, coercion, intimidation, and undue influence. Courts have been clear that such practice is a breach of human rights, but, so far, it has not been formally declared in courts that such practice constitutes discrimination. More needs to be done in terms of education, sanctions against those who carry out this practice, and help for victims.

Keywords: Coercion; HIV; consent; non-consensual; pregnancy; sterilization; women.