NATIONAL NEWS - Approximately 500 women in South Africa were robbed of the chance to have children after they were sterilised against their wishes because they were HIV positive.
The issue around HIV positive women being sterilised against their wishes came to light on Tuesday following the release of the SA National Aids Council‘s stigma index.
According to Times Live, it is the largest number of reported forced sterilisation cases ever uncovered in the country.
The index was compiled after 10 473 people living with HIV in 18 districts across the country were interviewed to determine the level of stigma and discrimination against people with HIV.
The 6719 women in the sample were asked if they had been forcibly sterilised because of their status. A total of 498 said yes, according to Professor Khangelani Zuma from the Human Sciences Research Council, which conducted the survey.
According to Times Live, it is the largest number of reported forced sterilisation cases ever uncovered in the country.
The index was compiled after 10 473 people living with HIV in 18 districts across the country were interviewed to determine the level of stigma and discrimination against people with HIV.
The 6719 women in the sample were asked if they had been forcibly sterilised because of their status. A total of 498 said yes, according to Professor Khangelani Zuma from the Human Sciences Research Council, which conducted the survey.
