Australian Government urged to ban forced sterilisation of women with disabilities

Forced sterilisation is in the spotlight after the Government’s Disability Royal Commission response failed to condemn the outdated practice.

The disability community and international bodies are calling on the government to criminalise forced sterilisation. Dating back to the 1800s as a form of eugenics, the practice is still legal in Australia today, targeting women and girls with a disability under the guise of ‘best interests’.

Image: Image: Pexels/ Marcus Aurelius

Produced By: Emma Myers

Featured In Story: Dr Linda Steele- Associate Professor of disability, law and social justice

First aired on The Wire, Monday 12 August 2024