Health, reproductive freedom and bodily dignity
Women and girls need respectful healthcare, understandable information, privacy, accessibility and meaningful participation in decisions about their bodies.
In this guide
What this can look like
Harm can come from family control, abusive partners, inaccessible systems or healthcare practices that ignore consent and dignity.
- Withholding treatment, medicine, food, mobility support or menstrual products.
- Forcing or obstructing contraception, pregnancy, abortion, sterilisation or fertility treatment.
- Performing intimate examinations without explanation, privacy or valid consent, or speaking only to a relative.
- Discriminating because of disability, caste, age, marital status, sexuality, occupation or mental-health history.
Why this is harmful
- Loss of control over healthcare can cause lasting physical and reproductive consequences.
- Humiliation and inaccessible communication can drive women away from future care and hide abuse.
Several rights frameworks may apply
The MTP Act, as amended, regulates when and by whom pregnancies may be terminated and includes confidentiality provisions; access depends on gestation, medical opinion and statutory conditions.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act includes equality, protection from abuse, reproductive rights and access to justice; the Mental Healthcare Act protects rights including information, confidentiality and non-discrimination in covered care.
This is not medical advice. Eligibility, urgency and consent rules can depend on age, capacity, gestation, condition and the specific service. Seek a qualified clinician and legal advice for individual decisions.
Safer next steps
Choose only what fits the situation. Safety, time, money, disability, family control and device monitoring can change what is possible.
Address urgent symptoms
Seek emergency medical help for severe bleeding, breathing difficulty, unconsciousness, poisoning, serious injury or other acute danger; call 112 when emergency coordination is needed.
Ask for understandable consent
Ask what is proposed, why, alternatives, risks, records and reporting duties. Request an interpreter or accessible format.
Create a private moment
Ask to speak with the clinician without family or a partner present when safe, especially if someone controls medicine or reproductive decisions.
How to support someone
Support access and understanding without taking over the decision.
What can help
- Offer transport, interpretation, notes or accompaniment if she wants.
- Ask clinicians to address her directly and make communication accessible.
What to avoid
- Do not share a diagnosis or pregnancy information without permission unless a specific duty applies.
- Do not assume disability or age removes decision-making ability.
Words you can use
“Would you like me in the room, outside, or not at the appointment?”
“You can ask them to explain again in a different way.”
What families and institutions must do
Health services
Health services
- Provide privacy, accessible information, informed consent and respectful examinations.
- Maintain safe routes for disclosing abuse and explain limits of confidentiality.
Families and households
Families and caregivers
- Support appointments and medicine without controlling decisions.
- Respect privacy, relationships, sexuality and reproductive choices.
Get help and practical support
Call 112
For immediate danger, urgent police, fire or medical coordination.
Pan-India emergency service
A call or app request may share your number, voice and location with responders.
Call Tele-MANAS 14416
24-hour tele-mental-health support and connection to services.
Call legal-aid helpline 15100
Women and children are listed among people eligible for free legal services.
Eligibility does not guarantee a particular lawyer, remedy or result.
Sources and publication record
- Publication review
- Reviewed and approved by the project team
- Sources checked
- Jurisdiction
- India
- Review record
- Reviewed and approved by the project team. Official statutes and service sources are listed with the relevant content.
- Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, as amended in 2021India Code, Legislative Department
- Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016India Code, Legislative Department
- Mental Healthcare Act, 2017India Code, Legislative Department
- PCPNDT (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994India Code, Legislative Department
- Tele-MANAS 14416Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- Emergency Response Support System 112Ministry of Home Affairs
- Free legal services and National Legal Aid Helpline 15100National Legal Services Authority