Towards a human rights-based contraceptive policy, a critique of anti-sterilisation law in Poland

grantor: University of TorontoSterilisation is one of the safest, most effective and most widely used method of family planning in the world. However, it is illegal and inaccessible in Poland. This thesis argues that there are certain harms imposed by the anti-sterilisation policy in Poland, and that they amount to a violation of human rights. It argues that limiting access to a comprehensive range of contraceptive option is harmful for reproductive and sexual well-being. Certain concerns associated with contraceptive sterilisation (e.g. fear of abuse or post-sterilisation regret) would be addressed more appropriately by less restrictive measures that respect rights of individuals and better respond to their needs. I argue that an array of contraceptive options that is as comprehensive as medical technology and modern health policy will allow is a necessary component of equality for women. As such, sterilisation policy should be part of the comprehensive reproductive health policy, which should be built upon principles of equality and public health rather than on moralities, myths and popular misconceptions about the people's capacity to control fertility.L.L.M