The Violation of Reproductive Rights as Gender-Based Violence does not only include physical violence or harm, but it is a continuum of actions leading to a violation of an individual’s bodily integrity and human rights. Of these, the rollback or constraint of reproductive justice is arguably one of the most far-reaching forms of systematic oppression that targets women, especially ethnic minorities. Working for a domestic violence organization led by Latina women and in a Latinx community, I know that race and gender are involved in such oppression and domination.

Reproductive rights are the fundamental rights of a person, which include body autonomy and control over decisions regarding one’s body, fertility control, including access to contraceptives, and childbearing, with an ability to raise kids in conditions free from violence. However, such rights are often extended as privileges rather than fundamental human rights. Whenever governments, institutions, or individuals place limitations on reproductive choices and pregnancy-related decisions, they violate a person’s rights, taking away their control over their lives. This type of control is especially evident in cases of forceful sterilization, limited access to abortion, or forced pregnancies, which negatively impact women of color, including the Latinx community. 

As a Latina woman, this violation of reproductive rights triggers me personally as I believe every human being should have rights, primarily when we talk about reproductive rights. In addition, the violation of reproductive rights anchors in colonial and racist histories. For decades, Latinx people have been suffering from policies that seek to criminalize our fertility. Personal stories of involuntary sterilization of Latina women in the twentieth century or current-day policies such as anti-immigrant women’s reproductive rights show that the issues are not unique to the past. These violations deny us our right to make choices and then frustrate our efforts to rise from being marginalized citizens. Working With survivors of domestic violence for 11 years, I understand how survivors are impacted by reproductive coercion, a tactic by which individuals who cause harm control or influence a survivor’s reproductive decisions. 

The Intersection of Race, Class, and Gender 

New York State has horrific track records of reproductive rights abuses, and it is not a coincidence that Latinx women and other women of color are in a more vulnerable position because of the existing racial strings and economic power of the state. For instance, low-income Latina women are denied reproductive health care because of a lack of insurance, language, and distance. These issues are further compounded by immigration status as many immigrant women have limited access to health care services due to their legal status in the U.S. and, therefore, are at high risk of not seeking medical treatment due to being reported to legal immigration authorities. 

These are structural imbalances that are not accidental but because of white supremacy and patriarchal systematic policies and practices. In a proposal to maintain social hierarchies about women of color, especially Mexican-American women, the United States has in the past sought to regulate their fertility. Today, it is witnessed through overturning legislation on abortion, state funding cuts on clinics that address minority populations, and legislation criminalizing pregnancy outcomes. These forms of intersections in my practice of working with Latinx survivors of domestic violence make women have limited choices in leaving abusive relationships. For example, lack of access to safe abortions means that survivors are forced to remain with their abusers as they remain economically dependent on them.  

Reproductive Coercion and Domestic Violence 

Reproductive coercion is another rather less known type of GBV where an intimate partner tries to force a woman to become pregnant, use contraception, or avoid abortion. In working for a Latinx-led domestic violence organization, I can attest to the fact that reproductive coercion is a powerful weapon for abusers. Survivals describe their partners as men who hide condoms, force women to get pregnant, or physically assault them if they attempt to get abortions. These women are subject to other forms of abuse, such as violation of their reproductive rights, which can make them stay in unsafe environments and abusive relationships. 

Working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence at V.I.P our counselors/advocates are well trained to assess the survivor’s cases, connect them with preventive services, ensure access to contraceptive counseling and services, refer survivors to medical professionals and healing experts, and ensure gender-affirming and culturally relevant support services. On the other hand, our leadership team also focuses on establishing relationships with reproductive healthcare providers, building relationships with other social services providers to serve our community correctly, and working with community partners to host training for our staff and clients.

References 

Heidari, S., & Moreno, C. G. (2016). Gender-based violence: a barrier to sexual and reproductive health and rights. Reproductive health matters, 24(47), 1-4. 

Mensah, E. K. G. (2024). The Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Prosecutions: Exploring Legal Approaches to Combat Gender-Based Violence and Protect Women’s Rights Across African Nations. Available at SSRN 4815392. 

O’Connell, C., & Zampas, C. (2019). The human rights impact of gender stereotyping in the context of reproductive health care. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 144(1), 116-121. 

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Claudia Guzman, MSW serves as the Director of Community Programs at the Violence Intervention Program. She currently oversees 3 Community Programs located in Queens, Manhattan and the South Bronx. The Community Programs offer a range of holistic services to survivors of Domestic Violence from psycho-educational counseling, housing advocacy, economic empowerment, and educational literacy. Claudia received her master’s in social work from Hunter College, Silberman School of Social Work in 2018 where she focused her studies on working with children, adolescents, and immigrant families.