18:19 . 21/04
A two-month long investigation for the BBC World Service and Radio 4 has uncovered what appears to be a systematic state-run programme in Uzbekistan to sterilise women, often against their will and without their knowledge, The Guardian writes. Forced sterilisations go back to 2004, in 2009 sterilisations became a state policy.
"All of us have a sterilization quota," said a gynaecologist in the capital, Tashkent. "My quota is four women a month. We are under a lot of pressure." In rural areas, doctors say, the number can be as high as eight women a week. The women who give birth by way of caesarean section usually undergo an operation of removing the reproduction organs forcedly or without knowing about it.
Doctors believe the programme is meant to keep Uzbekistan's growing population under control but the authorities deny the possibility of such cases.
As an example, BBC presents the story of 32 years old Bakhor during whose caesarean section the doctor said: “you don't have a uterus any more”. He said: 'What do you need it for? Two children is enough for you".
