Forced sterilization and contraception use

Forced contraceptive use and forced sterilization have a grim and global history. In countries around the world, persons with disabilities, indigenous communities and persecuted minorities, and in some cases women in general, have been subjected to forced contraception or sterilization for reasons ranging from eugenics to population control. Involuntary sterilization or contraception is a violation of human rights and medical ethics.

*Out of 104 reporting countries

Homophobic and transphobic rape

Rape and other sexual violence that targets gender-non-conforming individuals and people of diverse sexual orientations is often deemed by perpetrators to be “curative” or “corrective.” This violence is often met with impunity by communities or legal systems.

Forced and child marriage

Child marriage is widely prohibited by law, yet it continues to affect significant proportions of the world’s girls. Those subjected to child marriage are often denied their right to make decisions about, or lack accurate information about, their sexual and reproductive health. Forced marriages are driven by institutionalized patriarchal practices, where brides become a commodity, or property, to be owned, bought, sold or traded, with no regard for their rights or autonomy. Forced sex and early and frequent pregnancies are closely linked to high maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rates, as well as poor mental health.

Female genital mutilation

Female genital mutilation is a violation of women’s and girls’ human rights and an extreme form of discrimination and violence directed exclusively at girls and women, aimed at controlling their sexuality, their bodies and their sexual and reproductive rights. While families and communities cite cultural, religious and social reasons for practising female genital mutilation, justifications centre on the need to reduce women’s sexual desire.

"Honour" killings

Honour killings occur in communities where the so-called “honour” of the family is considered to be more important than the life of the person, usually a woman, who violates certain so-called norms or codes. Rationalizations for honour killings have included separation from a spouse who paid a bride price, refusing to enter into an arranged marriage, entering into a relationship with a person from a different religion, ethnic group or caste, engaging in premarital or extramarital sex, being the victim of rape or assault, or being identified as gay.

Marital rape and "Marry-your-rapist" laws

Forced or nonconsensual sex with one’s spouse has only recently begun to be acknowledged as a concept. In the past, patriarchal norms held that once a marriage has taken place, a man “owns” his wife’s body and can use it for sex whenever he wants. Today, marital rape is increasingly recognized as an egregious human rights violation. Yet some countries continue to permit a husband to have intercourse whether the wife wants it or not, and there are countries where a man who rapes a woman can escape penalties if he marries her.

Reproductive coercion

Reproductive coercion is any behaviour that a person uses to exert control over another person’s reproductive health or decision-making. This can include attempts to nonconsensually impregnate a partner against their wishes, coercing a partner to have an abortion, or interfering with family planning methods such as “stealthing” (the nonconsensual removal of a condom during sex). Reproductive coercion can be perpetrated by intimate partners, families or community members.

Denial of comprehensive sexuality education

Taboos against comprehensive sexuality education and fears of “sexualizing” young people mean that many adolescents reach adulthood without accurate information about their bodies and sexual health. As a result, they are unable to make informed responsible choices about themselves and their relationships.

* Out of 98 countries reporting complete data