Normalizing Abortion

Normalizing Abortion

Sep 25, 2018
Françoise Girard

On September 28, activists around the world will mark International Safe Abortion Day, a global campaign to repeal laws that deny women the right to reproductive health care. The message is simple: no woman anywhere should have to tolerate restrictions that too often lead to injury or death.

NEW YORK – Last month in Buenos Aires, Elizabeth, a 34-year-old mother of two, died after inserting parsley into her cervix in a desperate attempt to induce an abortion. Days earlier, Argentina’s Senate had narrowly defeated legislation that would have legalized abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. If that bill had passed, Elizabeth might be alive today. Instead, she is a grim statistic: one of more than 40 Argentinian women who will die this year from botched abortions.

Continued: https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/international-safe-abortion-day-legalizing-abortion-services-by-francoise-girard-2018-09

Uganda: Don’t Criminalise Women Who Abort, Says Judge

Uganda: Don't Criminalise Women Who Abort, Says Judge

By Anthony Wesaka
2 November 2017

Kampala — High Court judge David Batema has scoffed at people who criminalise women who have procured an abortion.

He said that since Article 32 (2) of the Constitution protects marginalised groups including women who abort from laws, culture, customs and traditions that would undermine their status, there is no need to demonise them.

Continued at source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201711030086.html

Sociologist shines spotlight on the forced migration of Honduran women

Sociologist shines spotlight on the forced migration of Honduran women

Aarón Sánchez Guerra, Staff Writer
Oct 26, 2017

In an effort to spread awareness of a vast and largely overlooked issue that is focused on Honduran women, feminist sociologist Neesa Medina spoke at an event titled “Deportation and Forced Migration: The View from Honduras” in Park Shops on Oct. 17. The event was co-sponsored by Interdisciplinary Studies and the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, and organized by the nonprofit Witness For Peace Southeast.
.......
During her speech, Medina described the troublesome climate of being a female in Honduras for students by pointing out that Honduras is one of six countries where abortion is completely illegal. As a result, maternal mortality rate there is high. Women that attempt to get already unsafe abortion procedures and get caught by authorities can be imprisoned for up to eight years. Contraceptives have also been criminalized for the past eight years.

Continued at source: http://www.technicianonline.com/arts_entertainment/article_2e217a12-b9f9-11e7-8255-5b07f704fb4c.html

Brazil: Zika Epidemic Exposes Rights Problems

Brazil: Zika Epidemic Exposes Rights Problems

July 12, 2017
Government Announced Emergency Over, But Major Risks Remain

(São Paulo) – Brazil has not addressed longstanding human rights problems that allowed the Zika outbreak to escalate, leaving the population vulnerable to future outbreaks and other serious public health risks, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The government declared an end to the national public health emergency related to the Zika virus in May 2017, but the Zika threat in Brazil remains.

The 103-page report, “Neglected and Unprotected: The Impact of the Zika Outbreak on Women and Girls in Northeastern Brazil,” documents gaps in the Brazilian authorities’ response that have a harmful impact on women and girls and leave the general population vulnerable to continued outbreaks of serious mosquito-borne illnesses.

Continued at source: Human Rights Watch: https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/07/12/brazil-zika-epidemic-exposes-rights-problems

12.07.2017

Commentary

News

Amanda Klasing

harms of abortion criminalization

Human Rights Watch

Neglected and Unprotected: The Impact of the Zika Outbreak on Women and Girls in Northeastern Brazil

Human Rights Watch Submission on South Korea to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women

Human Rights Watch Submission on South Korea to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
June 20, 2017

We write in advance of the 69th pre-sessional working group of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and its review of South Korea’s compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). This submission focuses on restrictions on women’s reproductive rights, LGBT rights and sex education in schools, ongoing discrimination against women, and addresses articles 3, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, and 16 of the Convention.

Continued at source: Human Rights Watch: https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/06/20/human-rights-watch-submission-south-korea-committee-elimination-discrimination

20.06.2017

Commentary

Featured

CEDAW

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women

decriminalisation of abortion

harms of abortion criminalization

Zimbabwe: Zim’s Abortion Dilemma – It’s the Women Who Suffer

Zimbabwe: Zim's Abortion Dilemma - It's the Women Who Suffer

June 20, 2017
By Roselyne Sachiti

"My uterus was also damaged because of the pricking. The doctor had to remove it. I cried and begged him not to. He said I would die if he did not. The hysterectomy was performed when I was only 15."

A small black pot "sits" on a paraffin stove in a poorly ventilated, crowded room at Mbare Flats, in Harare.

Continued at link: All Africa: http://allafrica.com/stories/201706200140.html

20.06.2017

harms of abortion criminalization

women's abortion stories

Why many Kenyans are opting for unsafe abortions

Why many Kenyans are opting for unsafe abortions

Daniel Otieno
Tue 20th Jun 2017

According to Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organisation that seeks to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights, Kenya recorded 469,690 cases of induced abortion in 2012.

This corresponded to induced abortion ratio of 30 abortions per 100 births in the same year. Abortion remains a highly stigmatised issue in the society. Even though the law permits abortion in some cases, many people still consider it illegal.

Continued at source: Standard Media: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/ureport/story/2001244211/health-why-many-kenyans-are-opting-for-unsafe-abortions

20.06.2017

harms of abortion criminalization

Australian Lawmakers Vote No on Legal Abortion Law

Australian Lawmakers Vote No on Legal Abortion Law
In New South Wales, abortion is punishable with 10 years in prison.

Laura Bannister
Jun 2, 2017

Last month, members of the New South Wales Parliament in Australia voted against a bill that would decriminalize abortion, which has been an offense under the state’s Crimes Act since 1900. The law reform bill — which had been brought forward by Member of Parliament Mehreen Faruqi of the Greens Party — was swiftly defeated in the upper house, 25 to 14. The reigning Liberal-National government (broadly defined as center-right conservatives) were given a conscience vote, meaning they could break with their party’s pro-life position if they chose. None did. According to The Guardian, members of the public, who watched the proceedings from the open gallery above, hollered “SHAME!” when results of the conscience vote were revealed.

Continued at source: Teen Vogue: http://www.teenvogue.com/story/australian-lawmakers-vote-no-legal-abortion

Dominican Republic to uphold total ban on abortion

Dominican Republic to uphold total ban on abortion

On May 31, the Dominican Senate voted to uphold a total ban on abortion. Even in cases of rape and incest, and when the woman’s life is in danger.
June 1, 2017 by Raquel Rosario Sanchez

On May 31, the Dominican Senate voted to uphold a total ban on abortion. The country is among six countries worldwide that have banned abortion in all circumstances, including when the life of the mother is in danger. Others are: Nicaragua, El Salvador, Vatican City, Malta, and Chile. The Senate had the opportunity to change the grim situation of reproductive rights and access in the country on Wednesday, however, they voted to uphold the archaic legislation by a margin of 27 to two.

Continued at source: Feminist Current: http://www.feministcurrent.com/2017/06/01/dominican-republic-uphold-total-ban-abortion/

UN Urges El Salvador to Decriminalize Abortion in Certain Cases

UN Urges El Salvador to Decriminalize Abortion in Certain Cases

Published 8 May 2017

The Central American nation upholds a total ban on abortion, which jails women for miscarriages and ends up prioritizing fetuses over women's lives.

A group of experts at the United Nations said Monday El Salvador's Congress should decriminalize abortion in specific circumstances to protect women's rights and bring the country in line with international human rights standards.

The U.N. Working Groups and Special Rapporteurs urged the Central American to "seize an exceptional opportunity to advance the protection of the human rights of women and girls" by reviewing the Article 133 of its penal code which outlines penalties for women who seek or cause an abortion.

Continued at source: Telesurvtv: http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/UN-Urges-El-Salvador-to-Decriminalize-Abortion-in-Certain-Cases-20170508-0016.html

08.05.2017