LA DISCIPLINE PAR LE BIAIS DE LA MÉDECINE, TRANSFORMANT DES JEUNES FILLES ET DES FEMMES EN ‘PERSONNALITÉS SOCIALISTES’ DANS DES SERVICES FERMÉS DE VÉNÉROLOGIE DANS L’ALLEMAGNE DE L’EST COMMUNISTE

Abstract

At least ten closed venerology wards existed in the GDR. The closed venerology wards were operated mainly to educate “asocial” women as well as women suffering form sexually transmitted diseases (STD). In most cases, the women were taken randomly and admitted to the closed venerology wards by the police. They were not informed about the purpose, type, and possible side-effects of their medical treatment. It was performed without their consent and therefore constituted a violation of their physical integrity. Even though 70% of the women had not been diagnosed with a STD, all of them had to undergo a gynecological examination on a daily basis. The daily routine was strict, and the women were kept under surveillance.