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In 1990, human rights activist Elena Gorolová, a Czech Romani woman, found herself in a moment of vulnerability at Vitkovice Hospital. Sedated from childbirth, she was coerced into signing papers for sterilization, unaware of its implications. Only later did she ask the attending doctor: “What is sterilization?” In response, she received an answer that would alter the course of her life forever. “He told me I will never have children again.” This encounter marked the beginning of Gorolová’s journey into a world of injustice.
Gorolová’s journey from victim to advocate gained international attention when she spoke out about her experience at the United Nations in 2009. In a testimony delivered before the global audience, Gorolová shared her ordeal and shed light on the systemic injustices faced by Romani women in Czechia, who for decades were subjected to unauthorized sterilizations.
The first government acknowledgment of the decades-long practice of sterilizing Romani women was a report from Czechia’s Public Defender of Rights in 2005. Coerced by medical practitioners, these women were either compelled into signing consent forms or misled into believing that sterilization was a necessary medical procedure. These actions occurred against a backdrop of widespread discrimination against the Roma population.
Kumar Vishwanathan, founder of the Life Together NGO, said, “That’s a classic example of racism, isn’t it? They consider some people to be more worthy than other people.”
Following years of advocacy by Romani women, activists, NGOs, and government officials, a compensation bill was passed in 2022. This legislation offered women who fell victim to unlawful sterilizations 300,000 CZK ($13,000). However, this bill expires at the end of 2024. “I know about 1,500 women have filed for compensation, and only about 500 have received it,” said Vishwanathan.
These women, he said, face challenges in accessing their medical records. In many instances, their records are either unavailable or were destroyed by hospitals in violation of the law mandating their retention. Furthermore, Czechia requires by law to file a case within three years of the injustice, a timeline that is impractical for many given the historical context of sterilizations dating back to the 1960s.
Gorolová did receive compensation, and gained recognition for, her long-time advocacy, for which she was named to the BBC’s list of the 100 most inspirational women in 2018. While grateful, she said, “I am proud also. I know how to fight and not everybody would’ve lasted such a long, tough fight.”.
Gorolová continued to highlight the uncertainties surrounding recovery for other women, particularly for women lacking documentation. “These women were fighting for more than 20 years. They went to so many demonstrations, and the outcome is nothing but bad,” she said.
Gorolová additionally expressed concerns regarding the Ministry’s stance, noting its reluctance to accept witness statements or testimonies from individuals closely affiliated with the affected women, such as family members or friends. Despite the availability of alternative forms of evidence, the Ministry insists on procedural requirements. “We are all very sad because of that,” she said.
Gorolová reflected on the government’s inaction in reference to the myriad struggles faced by Romani women. “To meet so many women whose husbands had left them, who passed away, who died after that, it’s a big book,” she said. Women in many cases were left without a husband or beaten, seeing that they could no longer bear children. Without proper acknowledgment of the crimes committed, Romani women’s sterilization had no formal recognition for years. This lengthy time frame outlasted the life spans of some Romani women, who never got to see or receive governmental reparation.
The silence surrounding this suffering, as noted by human rights activist Gwendolyn Albert, reflects Czechia’s reluctance to confront racism and medical malpractice. “This is not a minority that has any kind of political clout,” Albert said. Despite being the largest minority in Czechia, the Roma population only accounts for 1.93 percent of the population. Factoring in societal discrimination, Roma communities are in many cases on the outskirts of society, facing issues regarding housing, education, and employment. While noting the compensation bill took steps towards acknowledging the long-time discrimination and suffering against Romani women, Albert said, “I think the compensation bill is a Band-Aid, a very flimsy one.”
Gorolová’s story, and the stories of other Romani women, symbolize historical injustice and medical malpractice — a story that took decades to address. While compensation offers some acknowledgment, it’s seen as insufficient by activists. The silence surrounding this issue reflects a societal reluctance to confront racism and discrimination, prolonging the struggle for Romani women.