Dr. Unjali Malhotra, who works with the First Nation Health Authority, is working hard to end coerced sterilization (Submitted photo/First Nation Health Authority)

By Derek Craddock

PUSHING FOR CHANGE

‘A horrific practice’: Former P.A. resident vowing to end coerced sterilization

Jun 23, 2022 | 9:00 AM

A former Prince Albert resident is bringing to light a serious issue that has affected thousands of First Nations people across Canada.

Dr. Unjali Malhotra works with the Frist Nations Health Authority in B.C. She recently testified to the Canadian Senate about the dangers and ill effects of coerced sterilization.

“Sterilization is something that’s been ingrained in our system in a lot of ways,” she said. “Victims have come forward over time, stating that they have been sterilized and their stories are the truth and we want to follow that truth and make the change as allies within the health care system.”

According to an entry in the Journal for the College of Family Physicians Canada (CFP), Coerced sterilization refers to the practice of sterilizing Indigenous women without free and informed consent, based on eugenics beliefs and policies.

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“Traditionally, Indigenous women commanded the highest respect in their communities as water carriers and the givers of life. They are sacred and powerful beings because they ‘birth the whole world.” Unfortunately, racism, sexism, and colonialism have disrupted respect for Indigenous peoples and women,” said an excerpt from a journal entry in July of 2021.

One month prior to that article, the Canadian Senate released a report on coerced sterilization in Canada, concluding that it’s not just an issue that exists in Canada’s past, but continues today.

“The prevalence of this horrific practice is both underreported and underestimated. Parliament must not delay in studying the issue further and proposing ways to put it to an end,” said Senator Salma Ataullahjan.

“The committee is deeply concerned that, along with Indigenous women, other vulnerable and marginalized groups in Canada are affected by forced and coerced sterilization, including women with disabilities, racialized women, intersex children, and institutionalized persons. Parliamentarians must understand the full scope of this problem if we are to initiate effective and meaningful solutions,” added Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard.

While Malhotra mentioned there are many ways sterilization can occur, she is focused on the area of proper consent.

“It could potentially be done, immediately, post-partum for example. When someone’s quite stressed and unable to make that decision in a coherent fashion if they’ve never had any discussion on this topic before.”

In an article published on the Health Authority’s website, Malhotra said many Indigenous women are, at times, afraid to seek medical care, especially if it means leaving their home communities because of a fear of coerced sterilization.

“If a woman does not have a strong advocate to come with them, if she doesn’t understand the forms she is presented with, or if she is unfamiliar with their health care provider, there is fear. I know that when one person has experienced coerced sterilization, it can impact an entire community both in the present day and for generations to come. This impacts the health of many people over a long period of time.”

She said the sexual sterilization acts had been in place in some provinces until the 1970s.

Alberta and B.C. had sterilization legislation in place, which was repealed in 1972 and 1973 respectively.

“That disproportionally impacted Indigenous women but marginalized women as a whole and the bias of that created within our healthcare system has lingered within it and it’s been related primarily and unfortunately to reproductive decision making,” Malhotra said.

She added she has felt along with her colleagues and allies that there is one way they could enact change for this issue which started with a shared decision document that looks to change how women consent when it comes to reproductive decision-making.

“These are the questions that been forward that we feel should be a part of reproductive decision making.”

In April of this year, Malhotra was called to testify at the Canadian Senate on Human Rights on Coerced Sterilization. It was a three-week testimony which included her and others in administrative health as well as the lawyer representing a class action lawsuit of over 120 victims.

“We had victims’ voices come forward, and that was so important to hear those brave voices come forward. This is a really important time in reproductive justice that those of us that are allies within the health care system need to ensure that we are acting on, that we are looking to make relevant and meaningful change.”

Malhotra added the response following that testimony has been great as they’ve heard from other healthcare providers and victims, thanking them for bringing this issue forward and moving towards change.

In October 2017, a proposed class-action suit was filed in Saskatchewan from more than 100 women across the country who reported they were forced to be or were coercively sterilized.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock