Involuntary sterilisation as a form of violence against women in Africa

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Date

2017

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Abstract

This article examines the meaning and nature of sterilisation. It equally discusses the historical context of involuntary sterilisation and its likely human rights implications. More importantly, it discusses the decision of the Namibian Supreme Court in Government of Namibia v LM and argues that the court fails to consider involuntary sterilisation as a form of human rights violation, particularly violence against women. The article contends that given the attendant mental, physical and emotional trauma a woman may suffer upon undergoing forced sterilisation, this would amount to an act of violence against women as recognised under international human rights law.

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Keywords

Involuntary sterilisation, Women, Violence, Human rights, Africa

Citation

Durojaye, E. (2017). Involuntary sterilisation as a form of violence against women in Africa. Journal of Asian and African Studies, 53(5): 721-731.