
Stereotyping in Reproductive 
Health Gender stereotyping refers to the treatment 
of the sexes according to social and cultural 
constructions of women and men, due to their 
different physical, biological, sexual and social 
functions, not according to their individual 
attributes. This presentation will examine how 
wrongful stereotyping of women harms their 
dignity and prevents them from accessing abortion 
services according to their own individual needs 
and circumstances. It will explain how international 
and regional human rights treaty bodies and 
national constitutional courts are holding states 
legally accountable for failing to eliminate harmful 
gender stereotypes. In conclusion, it will explore 
what implications the evolving law against harmful 
gender stereotyping might have for abortion laws 
and policies more generally.