Federal judges in 3 U.S. states block orders limiting abortion access over COVID-19

Federal judges in 3 U.S. states block orders limiting abortion access over COVID-19

Caroline Kelly, CNN
Published Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Federal judges in Alabama, Ohio and Texas have blocked orders banning nonessential medical procedures from limiting abortion access during the coronavirus outbreak, a win for abortion rights activists as the fight over abortion rights intersects with the worsening pandemic.

"Because Alabama law imposes time limits on when women can obtain abortions, the March 27 order is likely to fully prevent some women from exercising their right to obtain an abortion," federal Judge Myron Thompson, from the Middle District of Alabama, wrote Monday. He temporarily halted the order, issued by the state's Health Department earlier this month, until April 13.

Continued: https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/federal-judges-in-3-u-s-states-block-orders-limiting-abortion-access-over-covid-19-1.4875382


UK – Coronavirus: Home abortions approved during outbreak

Coronavirus: Home abortions approved during outbreak

By Jim Connolly, Newsbeat politics editor
31 March 2020

Patients in England can now have home abortions during the Covid-19 outbreak, the government in England has said.

Abortion policy has changed several times during the current pandemic.

Women and girls wanting to terminate an early pregnancy were first told the service would be available but that decision was then retracted.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-52092131


New abortion laws for Northern Ireland comes into force

New abortion laws for Northern Ireland comes into force
The new regulations will allow terminations in Northern Ireland for the first 12 weeks

By Shaun Keenan
31 MAR 2020

Newly published regulations on abortion services in Northern Ireland will come into force on Tuesday. MPs in Westminster passed the changes to abortion last year in the absence of a power sharing assembly at Stormont.

The new regulations will allow terminations in Northern Ireland on request for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and up to 24 weeks in cases of a risk of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman or girl.

Continued: https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/new-abortion-laws-northern-ireland-18011806


Texas abortion ban can go back into effect, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals rules

Texas abortion ban can go back into effect, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals rules

By Kate Smith
March 31, 2020 / CBS News

Texas will again be allowed to implement its temporary ban on abortion, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday afternoon. Per the order, any abortion "not medically necessary to preserve the life or health" of the patient must be halted as part of the state's directive suspending "non-essential" medical procedures amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The ban was briefly lifted on Monday evening when a lower court ruled the suspension of abortion services was unconstitutional and in violation of Supreme Court precedent, including Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide.

Continued: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-abortion-halted-united-states-court-of-appeals-fifth-circuit/


USA – In some states, coronavirus measures are effectively banning abortion

In some states, coronavirus measures are effectively banning abortion
Governors and other officials are declaring abortions to be “nonessential” medical procedures.

by Miranda Yaver
March 31, 2020

As the coronavirus pandemic sweeps the country, physicians and hospitals are canceling elective, nonessential surgeries and procedures to preserve health-care resources, including scarce personal protective equipment, and to limit potential patients’ exposure to the virus.

But what exactly counts as “elective?” A growing number of states are putting abortion in that category. These state efforts could affect women’s rights to terminate pregnancies for a long time to come.

Continued: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/03/31/some-states-coronavirus-measures-are-effectively-banning-abortion/


The Network of Abortion Providers in Red States Was Already Delicate. Then Came the Coronavirus.

The Network of Abortion Providers in Red States Was Already Delicate. Then Came the Coronavirus.

Becca Andrews, Assistant News Editor
March 31, 2020

In many red states, where abortion restrictions are plentiful and doctors who are willing to perform them are not, the physicians who do ultimately provide abortions often fly into town on a regular basis, sometimes traveling hundreds if not thousands of miles to get to clinics.

This is “not simply because of the high degree of regulation,” says Carole Joffe, co-author of Obstacle Course: The Everyday Struggle to Get an Abortion in America, “but that providers just do not feel comfortable living there.”

Continued: https://www.motherjones.com/coronavirus-updates/2020/03/abortion-access-red-states-coronavirus/


USA – Anti-Choice Activists Say Abortion Isn’t ‘Essential,’ but Clinic Protests Are

Anti-Choice Activists Say Abortion Isn’t ‘Essential,’ but Clinic Protests Are
While the rest of us stay at home, anti-choice protesters will keep performing their "vital service" outside abortion clinics during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Mar 31, 2020
Jessica Mason Pieklo

More than 200 million people in the United States have been ordered to stay at home by state and local officials desperate to slow the spread of COVID-19 in their communities.

Governors and public health officials have asked businesses not deemed “essential” to temporarily close for the same reason.

Continued: https://rewire.news/article/2020/03/31/anti-choice-activists-say-abortion-isnt-essential-but-clinic-protests-are/


Abortion: New laws come into force in Northern Ireland

Abortion: New laws come into force in Northern Ireland
Significant changes to NI's abortion laws have come into force.

Mar 31, 2020

Terminations can be carried out in all circumstances in the first 12 weeks of a pregnancy.

After that abortions are legal in some cases - for example, there is no term limit in cases of fatal fetal abnormalities.

Robin Swann is "urgently reviewing" arrangements to allow women to access free abortion services in England, in light of the Covid-19 crisis.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-politics-52068193


England Leads Way in UK after U-Turn on COVID-19 Abortion Access

England Leads Way in UK after U-Turn on COVID-19 Abortion Access
Rest of UK, Europe Should Follow

March 31, 2020
Hillary Margolis, Senior Researcher, Women's Rights Division

The UK’s Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed it will allow women in England temporarily to manage medical abortions at home in light of the lockdown imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Health authorities in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales – and governments across Europe – should swiftly follow suit.

The welcome decision follows outrage and confusion last week after the government announced the change only to reverse it hours later.

Continued: https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/03/31/england-leads-way-uk-after-u-turn-covid-19-abortion-access


Africa commits to curb maternal mortality rate through CARMMA

Africa commits to curb maternal mortality rate through CARMMA

By International Institute For Non – Aligned Studies
March 30, 2020

For an unbiased growth of the economy, an equal contribution of men and women is what is required. Reiterating its commitment towards the same, the Non-Aligned Movement has translated in its efforts the importance of an equal contribution from both men and women of the society.

While women contribute equally to the growth and development prospects of an economy, the issue of maternal deaths continue to remain a major crisis among several nations and Africa is one of them. The areas reflecting inequities to health services and lack of awareness among the population are more prone to the crisis. Often caused due to haemorrhage, high blood pressure, unsafe abortion, infection and obstructed labour, the rates of maternal morbidity and mortality are found highest among adolescent girls below 15 years of age. Girls under this age bar face a higher risk of complications and death as compared to other women.

Continued: https://www.newdelhitimes.com/africa-commits-to-curb-maternal-mortality-rate-through-carmma/