Disabled Australian women face forced sterilisation, abortion and contraception, health groups say

Forced sterilisation is not prohibited in Australia, while women with disabilities are vulnerable to being forced to have abortions or use contraception. Photograph: Carly Earl/The Guardian

Australian women with disabilities face “reproductive violence”, including forced sterilisations, abortions and contraception, an inquiry will hear.

Organisations set to give evidence to the Senate inquiry into universal access to reproductive healthcare on Friday have said in their submissions that carers and a discriminatory healthcare system are violating women’s rights.