Mexican women with mental health problems pressured into sterilisation

[Judi Lynn]

Mexican women with mental health problems pressured into sterilisation

Disability Rights International finds 42% face pressure not to have children

Women with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder report abuse by doctors

Jo Tuckman in Mexico City
Thursday 26 February 2015 17.03 EST

Mexican women with psychosocial disabilities are suffering systematic abuse of their sexual and reproductive rights, according to a new study..

The study, carried out by the Washington-based group Disability Rights International, found that 42% of the women interviewed had been pressured by their families and health professionals into being sterilised, with some subjected to operations without their knowledge. The women’s disabilities include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

It also revealed that 43% of the sample reported suffering some form of emotional or physical abuse during visits to gynaecologists, ranging from hurtful comments to rape.

“These are egregious human rights violations perpetrated against women with disabilities,” said Priscila Rodríguez, who headed the study. “They are violations of sexual and reproductive rights that have long been ignored.”

More:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/26/mexican-women-mental-health-problems-pressured-sterilisation