On April 25 at 6 p.m. the Research Network Latin America and Austrian Latin America Institute present “Who is superfluous? Forced sterilizations in Peru, the long struggle for justice - and the myth of ‘overpopulation’,” a discussion featuring Shalini Randeria, Central European University (CEU) President and Rector, and Alejandra Ballón Gutiérrez, Assistant Professor at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, with moderation by Ulrike Lunacek, President of Frauen*solidarität. The event, which will be in person only, is a collaboration with Frauen*solidarität and the Österreichisch-Peruanische Gesellschaft.
For decades, the myth of overpopulation has led to mostly forceful activities by governments and institutions in many parts of the world targeting primarily women, women’s bodies and women’s reproductive rights. Feminist critique of this myth and widespread protests against those activities have been ongoing for decades, but are too often ignored or marginalized.
In this lecture, the forced sterilization program under the autocratic government of Alberto Fujimori in the 1990s and the long struggle for justice for at least 272,000 women and 22,000 men who suffered forced sterilizations will be analyzed. In addition, incorrectly disseminated statements about overpopulation and demographic panic which are linked to ethno-nationalist agendas will be discussed. Both panelists have contributed on these topics in the anthology “Global Female Future” published in 2022. The book will be available at the event.
The discussion will take place in English. Discussion contributions in German or Spanish will be translated. To attend, email office@lai.at for registration.
