Reproductive Justice and Disability rights : The myth of Ableism
Event Date: O4 June 2025
Event Brief Description: The Disability Rights Clinic (DRC) at Galgotias University hosted a workshop titled “Reproductive Justice and Disability Rights: Myth of Ableism”, exploring the intersection of reproductive rights, sexuality, and disability through a gender justice lens. Prof. Avantika Tiwari and Dr. Smitha Nizar opened the event, highlighting gaps in Indian disability legislation and the importance of challenging ableist myths. Speakers included Ms. Hema Kumari, who underscored the lack of accessible sex education and societal stigma; Dr. Talim Akhtar, who critiqued the narrow scope of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act regarding reproductive rights; and Mr. Salman Khan, who examined legal histories of forced sterilization, drawing parallels to current Indian practices that often violate Article 21 and UNCRPD commitments. Dr. Nizar’s closing remarks questioned the ethics of selective abortions under current legal frameworks. Key takeaways stressed the urgent need to center disability justice within reproductive rights, recognize the sexuality and agency of disabled persons, prevent forced sterilization, and reform policies with an intersectional, dignity-based approach. The workshop fostered critical dialogue, urging a shift from protectionism to empowerment, and reaffirmed the DRC’s commitment to advancing inclusive legal and social reforms.
Event Detailed Description: The Disability Rights Clinic (DRC) of the School of Law, Galgotias University, hosted an enlightening workshop titled “Reproductive Justice and Disability Rights: Myth of Ableism”, which explored the intersection of reproductive rights, sexuality, and disability through the lens of gender justice. The event provided an important platform for scholars, legal experts, activists, and students to examine how ableism and outdated legal frameworks hinder the reproductive and sexual rights of persons with disabilities, especially women and girls.
Prof. Avantika Tiwari inaugurated the workshop by highlighting the significance of addressing this complex and often neglected topic. She pointed out the limitations of India’s existing disability legislation, which fails to adequately address reproductive rights and bodily autonomy. Prof. Tiwari commended Galgotias University for pioneering the establishment of the Disability Rights Clinic—one of the first such initiatives among Indian law schools—dedicated to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities.
In her welcome address, Dr. Smitha Nizar emphasized the role of the DRC in empowering disabled individuals through legal education and advocacy. She stressed the need to challenge the pervasive "Myth of Ableism," which renders the sexuality and reproductive rights of disabled persons invisible and marginalized. Dr. Nizar highlighted how societal prejudices often silence the desires and needs of this community.
Ms. Hema Kumari brought a feminist and sociological perspective to the discussion, underscoring the glaring absence of accessible sex education and trained counselors for disabled individuals. Drawing from her fieldwork, she illustrated how stigma and internalized ableism contribute to shame and silence around the reproductive choices of disabled persons. Kumari called for inclusive and compassionate approaches that affirm the sexuality and emotional well-being of disabled individuals, urging families, educators, and policymakers to adopt more supportive practices.
Dr. Talim Akhtar shared his personal journey of losing eyesight and navigating life as a disabled academic, offering a poignant testimony to the role of love, friendship, and emotional support in achieving reproductive justice. He critically examined the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, arguing that its narrow language does not reflect the diverse realities of disabled individuals. Referencing a Supreme Court judgment that upheld the principle of bodily autonomy under Article 21 of the Constitution, he advocated for a legal framework that centers the voices and experiences of disabled persons and incorporates emotional dimensions such as love and care into concepts of justice.
Mr. Salman Khan provided a historical and legal critique of reproductive rights violations faced by disabled persons. Referencing the infamous U.S. Supreme Court case Buck v. Bell (1927), he drew parallels to India’s troubling practices, where women with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities are often subjected to forced sterilization without informed consent. Khan argued that such practices violate Article 21 and India’s commitments under the UNCRPD. He called for robust legal safeguards to ensure reproductive autonomy for all disabled individuals.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Nizar examined the ethical dilemmas surrounding selective abortions based on prenatal disability diagnoses. She questioned whether such practices inadvertently reinforce eugenic ideologies and emphasized the need for a nuanced legal and moral framework that balances reproductive choice with anti-discrimination principles.
Key takeaways from the workshop included the need to reframe reproductive rights through an inclusive and intersectional lens; recognize the sexuality and desires of disabled persons; combat forced sterilization and selective abortion; and ensure that reforms are informed by the lived experiences of disabled individuals. The workshop fostered critical conversations, urging a shift from protectionism to empowerment and reaffirming the DRC’s commitment to advancing disability rights and reproductive justice in national and global discourse.
Department Name: Disability Rights Clinic, School of Law, Galgotias University
Event Outcome: The workshop “Reproductive Justice and Disability Rights: Myth of Ableism” successfully fostered critical dialogue on the intersection of disability, sexuality, and reproductive rights. It highlighted systemic ableism, legal gaps, and social biases that hinder the reproductive autonomy of disabled individuals, particularly women. Key outcomes included calls for legal reform, inclusive education, and the need to respect the desires and dignity of persons with disabilities. The event strengthened advocacy efforts and reaffirmed Galgotias University’s commitment to advancing disability rights. It empowered stakeholders to challenge ableist norms and promote a more inclusive, rights-based framework in both national and global contexts.
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