Report Details Abuse of Mentally Ill Mexican Women The Guardian
go to original March 2, 2015

The first report to focus on sexual and reproductive rights of women with psychosocial disabilities in Mexico has potentially explosive results; more than 40% of the women interviewed had been sterilized and more than 40% of them also said they’d suffered abuse. Al Jazeera's John Holman reports from Mexico city. (Al Jazeera)

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 sterilized, 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 gynecologists, ranging from hurtful comments to rape.

...The study, based on interviews with 51 women who attended outpatient services in state-run clinics in Mexico City, underlined the prevalence of the idea that women with mental health problems should not be allowed to have children.

Read the rest at The Guardian

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