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Resources.

News, publications and research from Her Rights Initiative, so partners, funders and the women we work alongside can hold us to account.

News.

Women gathered at an HRI community event in KwaZulu-Natal

Dec 2025 · Medical Brief

MPs demand action after forced sterilisations on HIV+ women

Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Health demands accountability from officials responsible for the forced sterilisation of women living with HIV.

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Women's hands reaching toward each other in a circle

Nov 2025 · Parliament of RSA

Committee on Health expresses concern over forced sterilisation report

The Portfolio Committee on Health announces plans to summon government institutions for accountability on the sterilisation of impoverished women living with HIV.

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Five women standing together

Dec 2024 · The Citizen

Call for government to compensate victims of forced sterilisations

A UNISA study documents over 100 women living with HIV subjected to forced sterilisation between 2007 and 2023, calling for compensation and systemic reform.

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An HRI community dialogue in session

Dec 2024 · Unisa Radio

Sethembiso Promise Mthembu on forced sterilisation

A radio conversation on the impact of forced sterilisation on Black women, women living with HIV and low-income communities.

Listen to the interview →

A community gathering

2024 · UNISA

UNISA study exposes forced & coerced sterilisation of women living with HIV

The university's media statement on the study conducted with HRI documenting forced and coerced sterilisation in South African public hospitals.

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Young women together outside

Sep 2021 · Power FM 98.7

Forced sterilisation of women living with HIV, on air

Power FM's conversation on the forced sterilisation of women living with HIV in South Africa's public hospitals.

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Research.

Study "I feel like half a woman all the time": HRI & UKZN study on forced and coerced sterilisation PDF

Journal article Reproductive Health Matters journal article: Strode, Mthembu & Essack (2012) PDF

Research report Forced Sterilisation of Women Living with HIV and AIDS in South Africa PDF

Reports.

Annual report HRI Annual Report 2025: narrative, outcomes and audited financials Coming soon

UN Engagement.

UN Special Rapporteur Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (2013) PDF

UN Joint Statement Eliminating forced, coercive and otherwise involuntary sterilisation (2014) PDF

CEDAW Joint Alternative Report to the CEDAW Committee: South Africa PDF

CEDAW Concluding Observations on South Africa, CEDAW/C/ZAF/CO/5 (2021) PDF

South African Government.

Official statement Parliament of South Africa: Portfolio Committee on Health media statement

Open letter Open letter to the President on forced sterilisation of women living with HIV in South Africa PDF

Correspondence Letter to the Parliament of South Africa Coming soon

Other Resources.

Case note Badul & Strode: LM and Others v Government of the Republic of Namibia PDF

African Commission ACHPR Resolution 260 (2013) on involuntary sterilisation and the protection of human rights in access to HIV services PDF