Negotiating Sexuality in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Abstract

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities includes several sexuality-related rights. However, the sexuality-related rights in the Convention that was adopted are far less explicit and affirmative than those included in the initial draft text. This paper explores the reasons for these differences. First, the paper outlines the evolution of sexuality in disability theory and sexuality in international human rights debates. It then critically examines the discussions at the Ad Hoc Committee sessions where the Convention was elaborated. These discussions were marked by tensions between efforts to promote sexual rights and efforts to protect PWDs from unwanted sterilization and other forms of sexual abuse. Finally, the paper proposes ways of enhancing sexual rights claims for people with disabilities.