[Forced sterilization 1933-1945: an attempt at coming to terms with the past]

Area of Science:

• Medical History
• Public Health Policy
• Bioethics

Context:

• Examines operative ledgers from the Women's Clinic of Frankfurt University (1932-1945).
• Focuses on involuntary sterilization of 509 women aged 11-44.
• Highlights the historical context of eugenics and racial hygiene policies.

Purpose:

• To analyze the scope and reasons for involuntary sterilizations.
• To identify the role of "Boards of Racial Hygiene" in these procedures.
• To track trends in sterilization, particularly those related to "congenital mental deficiency".

Summary:

• 509 women underwent involuntary sterilization; 156 were pregnant and mostly aborted.
• Sterilizations were performed for "congenital mental deficiency" (161 women) and other diagnoses (178 women).
• 272 sterilizations were mandated by "Boards of Racial Hygiene"; peak "congenital mental deficiency" sterilizations occurred in 1936-1937.

Impact:

• Reveals the significant number of women subjected to forced sterilization during this period.
• Underscores the influence of discriminatory public health policies on reproductive rights.
• Provides data on the application of eugenic ideologies in medical practice.