Published Paper Details:

The reproductive choices of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) are matter of concern, particularly as women with intellectual disability have often not been allowed to take decision regarding their reproduction. However equal accessibility to reproductive rights and related services remains a challenge for them in India. The paper seeks to explore the prevailing stereotypes and societal attitudes surrounding parenting, sexuality, and reproductive autonomy that lead to a higher likelihood of sterilization for women with disabilities compared to their non-disabled counterparts. Further it discusses the rights of disabled women in India with reference to their reproductive rights including the area of mental illness and their consent for termination of pregnancy, highlighting the legal, social and institutional challenges they encounter. Women with intellectual disabilities are more vulnerable and likely to experience infringement of their sexual and reproductive rights including pregnancy due to sexual offences, acquisition of sexual transmitted infections, forced sterilisation and unsafe abortions, poorly managed pregnancy, and unjust termination of parental right. The paper also examines the legal and practical dimensions of consent in reproductive decisions among women with IDD in India, highlighting the urgent need to respect their autonomy. Lastly the research aims to contribute to a policy framework that upholds their rights, dignity, and reproductive independence.