Khamenei’s Failing Hand: Abortion Rates Defy Iran’s Population Policy

March 13, 2024
Majid Mohammadi

A notable paradox in population dynamics has emerged recently in Iran.

On one front, the government aims to increase the population by two-fold – and as soon as possible. To achieve this, it has severely restricted abortion and contraception, and simultaneously promotes pregnancy and childbearing.

But, year after year, individuals are instead opting to have fewer children, standing in opposition to the government's ambitious population policy. In essence, Iranians have effectively countered Khamenei's population policy – and defeated its goals.

Continued: https://www.iranintl.com/en/202403135943


Syria – Despite risks, Women resort to unsafe abortions in Idlib

Enab Baladi
29/02/2024

Women in Idlib province face societal difficulties and pressures when they decide to undergo an abortion. These pressures come from relatives, neighbors, and even doctors, despite the woman’s need for the procedure in some cases.

Some believe that abortion is religiously forbidden in Islam and other religions, and this applies not only to Idlib but to many countries that criminalize such operations, considering it as taking a life.

Continued: https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2024/02/despite-risks-women-resort-to-unsafe-abortions-in-idlib/


Change in UAE law on abortion eases consent rules, protects pregnant woman’s life

According to the law, consent shall not be a condition in emergency cases that require immediate surgical intervention

by Sahim Salim / Nasreen Abdulla
Mon 19 Feb 2024

An amendment to an existing UAE law has made it easier for medical professionals to conduct an abortion if the mother’s life is in grave danger. According to lawyers in the country, this significant change puts the pregnant woman in charge of her health.

“The amendments to the law updated the previous provisions to assert that only the consent of the pregnant woman, and not her husband, is required to commence an abortion operation (among other conditions),” said Hadiel Hussein, senior associate at BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates LLP.

Continued: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/change-in-uae-law-on-abortion-eases-consent-rules-protects-pregnant-womans-life#google_vignette


Biden’s Support For Israel Is Fracturing The Reproductive Rights Movement

Reproductive justice workers believe Biden is contributing to a maternal and reproductive health crisis in Gaza. They’re deeply frustrated with him and the big reproductive rights groups that are backing him.

By Alanna Vagianos
Feb 16, 2024

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris celebrated what would have been the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade in late January — their first campaign event of 2024. The “Restore Roe” rally in northern Virginia made it clear that the Biden/Harris ticket will center abortion rights in the reelection campaign. The theater was filled with the president’s supporters and leadership from national reproductive rights organizations who have endorsed him, including Planned Parenthood, the National Organization for Women and Reproductive Freedom for All.

Only a few minutes into Biden’s speech, several protesters interrupted, calling for a cease-fire in Israel’s U.S.-backed military operation in Gaza, which has killed more than 28,000 Palestinians and set off a maternal and reproductive health crisis.

Continued: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/biden-israel-support-fractures-reproductive-rights-movement_n_65ce3765e4b04daca6961613


Israel readies for possibility of pregnancies in female hostages raped by Hamas

When the pregnancy is a result of a terrorist who previously murdered her relatives and brutally raped her, the emotional aftermath is unimaginable, leaving lasting psychological scars.

By DR. ITAY GAL
JANUARY 14, 2024

The Israeli medical community, usually reluctant to consider such scenarios, has recently actively been preparing for the appalling possibility of several female hostages who were raped in captivity and subsequently become pregnant.

According to sources who spoke with Maariv, there have been comprehensive discussions in hospitals across the country about preparing for the return of Israeli hostages who have been sexually assaulted by Hamas terrorists and are currently at different stages of pregnancy.

Continued: https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-782096


‘The Choice is Yours’: Why a feminist coalition is pushing for expanded abortion rights in Iraqi Kurdistan

A local NGO is leading the first campaign of its kind to expand women’s legal access to abortion in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Maxine Betteridge-Moes
14 December, 2023

When 21-year-old Tre* found out she was pregnant, she was shocked and panicked. As an unmarried woman in Iraqi Kurdistan, she was using protection because she was not ready to have a baby. After missing her period, she went to a local clinic for an ultrasound. When the doctor congratulated on her pregnancy, she burst into tears.

“This shouldn’t be happening to me. You need to help me,” she pleaded to the doctor.

The doctor, in compliance with the law, refused to help her. Tre went to visit four other gynaecologists who she said rudely dismissed her. Eventually, through a friend, she was able to obtain abortion pills on the black market to terminate her pregnancy. She described the process as scary, humiliating and isolating.

Continued: https://www.newarab.com/features/kurdistan-feminist-ngo-pushes-more-abortion-rights


Women in UAE no longer need spousal consent for emergency abortions

New legislation also permits private licensed clinics to perform the procedure

Shireena Al Nowais
Dec 03, 2023

Women in the UAE no longer require their husband's consent to undergo emergency abortions.

New legislation allows women to terminate their pregnancy after receiving the results of their medical report if it states that their own life, or that of their unborn child, is at risk.

The procedure will only be granted after the woman has given her consent, or if her consent is not possible, her husband or guardian.

Continued: https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2023/12/04/women-in-uae-no-longer-need-spousal-consent-for-abortions/


Kuwait – Illegal AIDS Testing Devices and Abortion Pills Confiscated

14/10/2023

KUWAIT CITY: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s commercial control inspectors have taken action by confiscating six AIDS testing devices, a significant quantity of birth control pills, and abortion pills. This operation also led to the arrest of a representative and a driver associated with a private medical clinic.

According to reliable sources, the Ministry’s inspectors received information about the unlawful distribution and sale of prohibited medicines and unlicensed AIDS testing devices. The culprits were actively promoting the purchase of AIDS testing devices and birth control pills. In response, a trap was set, resulting in their capture.

Upon consultation with the Ministry of Health, it was determined that the seized AIDS testing devices lacked the necessary licenses for circulation in Kuwait. Furthermore, the birth control pills were being used for illegal abortion purposes, in direct violation of the regulations prohibiting their display and sale in the country.

Consequently, both the offenders and the confiscated items were apprehended, and a formal report was filed to initiate the required legal proceedings, with the intention of referring them to the Public Prosecution.

Source: https://www.arabtimesonline.com/news/illegal-aids-testing-devices-and-abortion-pills-confiscated/


Iran Shuts Down Clinic After Establishing ‘Anti-Abortion Watch’

May 10, 2023
Maryam Sinaee

Iranian authorities shut down a clinic Sunday, after they said a “volunteer force” has been established to identify doctors and clinics who carry out abortions.

Public Relations of Tabriz Medical Sciences University said in a statement Monday that various organizations including the university, Basij Physicians Militia of the Revolutionary Guards’ (IRGC), the justice department of East Azarbaijan Province, and police identified and sealed the clinic.

At the same time, Saber Jabbari-Farouji, head of the health ministry’s Center for Rejuvenation of Population, that a volunteer group called Nafas (life) has been formed to help prevent abortions. Iranian media have dubbed the group as “[Anti-] Abortion Patrols”, similar to hijab enforcement units.

Continued: https://www.iranintl.com/en/202305096197


Requests for abortions in Israel at record high, report says

Central Bureau of Statistics data show 99.5% of requests to terminate pregnancy approved in 2021; 50.1% of applications made by married women, 6.8% by women under 19

Nina Fox
Jan 17, 2023

Requests for abortions in Israel have reached a record high in 2021, says a new Central Bureau of Statistics report published Tuesday.

According to the report, the Health Ministry's pregnancy termination committee had received 16,591 requests to terminate pregnancies, meaning 7.7 out of every 1,000 Israeli women between the ages 15-49 had sought an abortion throughout the year, same as in 2020.

Continued: https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/r1115teesj