The bodies of marginalized communities have been controlled most notably via access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. With patriarchy as the dominant framework, reproductive justice becomes a point from which those with privilege control the sexuality and reproductive rights of the wombs’ of women and trans men.

Having access to condoms, birth control methods and safe and legal abortions, doctors that are non-judgmental and supportive, and the option of having children or to breastfeed them without potential persecution is not universal.

In this session, join activists in an interactive dialogue with marginalized women and trans men whose reproductive rights have been violated through the denial of services, maternal mortality, and forced sterilization. While the session hosts speakers from many countries outside the United States, the US has a complex history of practicing eugenics and perpetuating reproductive injustices as well.

Special Guest Speakers

Justus Eisfeld, Co-Director, Global Action for Trans* Equality (GATE) – NYC

Marama Pala, Chair of the Global Indigenous WG – New Zealand

Karen Stamm, co-founders of Committee to End Sterilization Abuse (CESA) – NYC

Teresia Njoki Otieno, International Community of Women Living with HIV (ICW) - Kenya

Moderated by Jessica Whitbread, ICW, Canada

We are holding this free public event at Cooper UNION during the 59th UN Commission on the Status of Women. To learn more about CSW59 and/or to register for other events please follow this link: http://www.unwomen.org/en/csw/csw59-2015/side-events/calendar-of-side-events