Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Rotterdam calls for 'incompetent mothers' to take compulsory contraception

'Not being born is a form of child protection too,' says alderman responsible for youth welfare

Matt Payton
Wednesday 05 October 2016 23:23 BST
Comments
Women have more than 10 options for contraception which far outweighs the numbers for men
Women have more than 10 options for contraception which far outweighs the numbers for men (Rex)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Rotterdam city council has called for mothers, judged to be incapable to raise children, to be given compulsory contraception by court order.

The Dutch council has launched a voluntary contraception drive for 160 women believed to be at risk due to learning difficulties, psychological issues or addiction, nrc.nl reports.

The alderman responsible for youth welfare, Hugo De Jonge, has called for judges to be given the power to force "incompetent mothers" to use contraception such as getting the coil fitted

Mr De Jonge said: "It concerns children who are born into families where it turns everybody’s stomach to think that they’re having a child. Our primary concern used to be the interests of the parents, but now we pay more attention to the interests of the child. Not being born is a form of child protection too."

The alderman said the council have earmarked 400 women in the South Holland city for the programme. He stated there would only be a need for 10 to 20 compulsory contraception orders each day.

There have been stiff resisitance from a number of parties to compulsory contraception orders including the governing VVD and Mr De Jonge's Christian Democrats.

VVD MP Arno Rutte told NOS: "The government can not decide who may or may not have children. The door should not be a little ajar for this type of legislation."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in