Forced sterilization in Europe | DW Documentary
In 12 EU countries, women with disabilities can still be sterilized without their consent. Sara Rocha, who has autism, is fighting to ban the practice in Portugal and networking with affected people across Europe to raise awareness of the issue.
Forced sterilization is a practice that should really be consigned to the past in Europe. After all, in their ratification of the Istanbul Convention, most EU nations committed themselves to protecting women from violence. Nevertheless, it is still legal in 12 of the bloc’s nations to sterilize disabled women without their consent. This is a huge scandal, says Sara Rocha: “No one has the right to decide whether someone can be a good mother.” The autistic activist is campaigning for a ban in Portugal, while networking with those affected across Europe. As a pregnant woman with multiple disabilities, she sees the issue as a personal one.
One of the women who talks to Sara is Natacha Ooteghem from Belgium, sterilized against her will at the age of 24. Her mother did not trust her to raise her own children. Only now is Natacha able to find the words to express her pain and anger about what happened to her. Like many others, for a long time she was told that the procedure was for her own good. Today, she is breaking her silence – together with other victims.
Sunny Stemmler lives in Berlin with her three-year-old son, Matteo, in special accommodation for parents with disabilities. The 34-year-old, who has learning difficulties, has long fought against prejudice and opposition to the idea of her having children of her own. Today, her example shows that parenting with a disability is possible – if it is allowed and properly supported.
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Video “Forced sterilization in Europe | DW Documentary” was uploaded on 11/30/2025 by DW Documentary Youtube channel.