The practice of unlawful sterilisation of girls and women with disabilities in Australia has been recognised by Commonwealth and State Governments (Law Reform Commission of Western Australia 1994; Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission 1997; Family Law Council 1994). The High Court of Australia has decided that the non-therapeutic sterilisation of an intellectually-disabled minor cannot be authorised without a court order (1992). Despite this, it is clear that the practice of unlawful sterilisation of women and girls with disabilities continues in Australia (Hastings 1999; Brady and Grover 1997; Toovey 1999).
There has been a paucity of research conducted, by any sector, on the issue of unlawful sterilisation, and more broadly, on the issue of reproductive health of women with disabilities. The limited research that has occurred has not included or involved women with disabilities. Women with disabilities, particularly women with intellectual disabilities have had little opportunity to speak about their experiences, or participate in legislative, policy and/or program development.
On March 15, 2000, a resolution was passed in the Senate which called for the Australian Government to conduct a review of the legal, ethical and human rights mechanisms in place, or needed, to protect the rights and interests of the reproductive health of women with intellectual and other disabilities, and; commission research on the practice, effects and implications of the sterilisation of women with intellectual and other disabilities (Ref: Senate Journal No. 104, 24). This Senate Resolution was endorsed by the Australian Liberal Party, the Labour Party and the Australian Democrats. Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) has been advocating for several years for the need for this work to occur, and the Senate Resolution was a reflection of this work.
In mid 2000, WWDA applied for, and received project funding
from the Commonwealth Office of the Status of Women, to conduct a
National Project on the issue of Sterilisation and Reproductive
Health of Women and Girls with Disabilities. While developments
in the legislation have been ongoing since the early 1990's, WWDA
saw the need for a project to address the issues for women whose
lives had been affected. The Project comprised of two main
components - a background research phase, which examined
international and national developments in the area; and a
National Forum phase, which drew together women with disabilities
to critically analyse the issue and develop strategies, in line
with the Senate motion, to advance debate and action. The
National Forum was conducted as an adjunct to the International
Conference "Disability With Attitude: Critical Issues 20
Years after International Year of Disabled Persons"
which
was being held in Sydney in February 2001. A Special Interest
Group for other key stakeholders was also conducted by WWDA
during the Disability With Attitude Conference.
The objectives of the National Project on the issue of Sterilisation and Reproductive Health of Women and Girls with Disabilities were:
Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) has published a comprehensive report from the National Project on Sterilisation and Reproductive Health of Women and Girls with Disabilities.
"Moving Forward"
- Sterilisation and Reproductive
Health Of Women and Girls with Disabilities, is the
culmination of a National Project conducted by Women With
Disabilities Australia (WWDA) during 2001. The report provides a
context for the discussion of sterilisation and reproductive
health of women and girls with disabilities. It:
"Moving Forward"
gives a voice to the many women
who have experienced sterilisation against their will and who
have been denied their right to reproductive choice and
parenting. The report reflects the experiences and perspectives
of women and girls with disabilities in reporting on the National
Forum on Sterilisation and Reproductive Health for Women and
Girls with Disabilities held in Sydney in February 2001. It also
contains the proceedings of the Sterilisation and Reproductive
Health Special Interest Group, which was convened by WWDA at the
Disability With Attitude International Conference (Sydney 2001).
The report contains a thought provoking paper by Professor
Adrienne Asch (USA) entitled "Sterilisation, Reproduction
and Parenthood for Women and Girls With Disabilities"
.
This paper advocates new ways of thinking about sterilisation,
reproduction and parenting for women and girls with disabilities.
The Report discusses issues of advocacy, policy, and practice for
service providers, academics and people with disabilities.
"Moving Forward"
also outlines WWDA's
recommendations in seven key areas aimed at redressing the past
and creating a coordinated and consultative process for
progressing the issue into the future in a way that holds the
human rights of women and girls with disabilities as
paramount.
"Moving Forward"
- Sterilisation and Reproductive
Health Of Women and Girls with Disabilities
Published by WWDA, July 2001
ISBN No: 0 9585269 5 8
The Report is available in hard copy, Rich Text format, and PDF format.
Price: $55 waged; $25 unwaged. Price includes GST and postage and handling costs within Australia.
Copies of "Moving Forward"
can be obtained by
phoning, faxing or emailing:
Women With Disabilities Australia
PO Box 605, Rosny Park
Tasmania, 7018, Australia
Phone: + 61 3 62448288
Fax: + 61 3 62448255
ABN: 23 627 650 121
email: wwda@wwda.org.au
Executive Director: Carolyn Frohmader
Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9.00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
"An Unequivocal Moral Wrong"
A report "Moving Forward"
released by Women With
Disabilities Australia (WWDA) will bring issues of forced
sterilisation and reproductive health of disabled women to THE
forefront of community debate in Australia. The report is the
culmination of a National Project conducted by WWDA during the
last year and reports on a National Forum of disabled women held
in Sydney in February 2001. The report gives a voice to the many
women who have experienced sterilisation against their will and
who have been denied their right to reproductive choice and
parenting. The Federal Government is called on to embark on a
process of reconciliation, financial compensation and to offer an
official apology to the women whose human rights have been
violated.
In releasing the report, President of WWDA, Helen Meekosha
stated:
"Forced sterilisation has long been a major form of
violence against women with disabilities. The consequences are
long term and can be emotionally and physically
devastating."
There has been little research to date on the issue of forced sterilisation and more broadly on the reproductive health of women with disabilities. This report sets the agenda and provides a series of recommendations concerning legislation and consent, policy, reproductive health care, data collection and education. Helen Meekosha continued by saying:
"As long as these practices continue WWDA will continue
to support women to speak out and will tirelessly lobby
governments and professional bodies for an both an end to these
practices and the provision of support services for those women
who have suffered. The right to bodily integrity and the right of
women to make choices about reproduction are enshrined in the UN
Declaration on Human Rights"
.
This site was developed by Carolyn Frohmader for Women With Disabilities Australia.