Scholars discuss forced sterilization and reproductive rights

Oct 29, 2017

Forced sterilization of women who are poor, have mental health problems, or are incarcerated was commonplace in California—and nationwide—only 50 years ago. While today legally banned, forced sterilization and other means of controlling the reproductive rights continue to insinuate themselves into public policy and lawmaking. Filmmaker and historian Virginia Espino, California Latinas for Reproductive Justice executive director Laura Jimenez, and professor of Gender and Women's Studies and Latin American and Latino Studies Elena Rebeca Gutiérrez discuss the historical and contemporary consequences of this problematic practice. Moderated by UC Santa Barbara professor Miroslava Chavez-Garcia. This program is in conjunction with a screening of No Más Bebés (2015).