The ICWEA study titled “Violations of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) of Women living with HIV in Clinical and Community Settings in Uganda” shows violation of a wide range of sexual reproductive health rights of women living with HIV. The study found that the most experienced violation is forced and/or coerced sterilization. Having given the demographic characteristic of the study and its findings, we will now share stories of women living with HIV who have faced coerced and/or coerced sterilization.
I was never given an opportunity to decide
“My uterus was removed in 2007. When I got pregnant and went for medical check-up, the doctor asked me why I was pregnant. I told him I want to have a third child. The doctor said, “you people living with HIV at times annoy us because you understand your situations but you come to disturb us.” Then, I said to the doctor – I am very sorry, I have a problem and cannot go anywhere else. The doctor said that they would begin to decide on our behalf. I was admitted and had the baby delivered by C-section. At that time I did not know they had removed my uterus. The time came when I wanted another baby because I had few children. I waited for one, two years but did not conceive. Then they directed me to Mulago, Ward 5, to check why I was not conceiving. That was where they told me that my uterus was removed! I was hurt and wondered why the doctors did not inform me or give me an explanation. I tried following up the case but failed to get help or answers; my file disappeared. Though I knew my rights had been violated I did not take legal action. My husband and I accepted it and we know we shall never have another child.”
Brenda Nakayiwa
Note: For purposes of confidentiality, all names used under this section are pseudonym names
For more case in the report check: http://www.icwea.org/2015/11/report-violation-of-sexual-and-reproductive-health-rights-of-women-living-with-hiv-in-clinical-and-community-settings-in-uganda/
Illustration credit: ICW
