When I was four years old, a doctor advised my parents that I should undergo a "routine" hysterectomy. It was recommended, the doctor said, to prevent the future inconvenience of menstruation. My parents, thankfully, were horrified and high-tailed it out of there, taking me and my four year old uterus with them.
It's been easy for me to share my story; I had a lucky escape. But for many women, the thought of speaking publicly about what happened to them is unthinkable. While simply possessing a uterus doesn't make you a woman, having yours taken from you without your consent can certainly cause you to question your identity and security. Many women I've spoken to who have undergone such procedures feel a deep sense of shame and violation.