Indian women gain abortion rights but cost and stigma limit access

Experts say stigma and myths stemming from laws against sex-selective abortion of girls deter many women from having abortions

Thomson Reuters Foundation
24 Oct 2022

A ruling by India's top court that grants unmarried women equal abortion rights could end up being largely symbolic without concerted efforts to tackle persistent barriers to the procedure, reproductive rights campaigners say.

Stigma and myths stemming from laws against sex-selective abortion of girls deter many women, campaigners and experts said, while a lack of affordable and rural facilities are hitting poorer and marginalised groups.

Continued: https://bdnews24.com/the-long-read/q8hug027cu


Why Is Unsafe Abortion Still A Reality For Millions Of Women In India?

Why Is Unsafe Abortion Still A Reality For Millions Of Women In India?

October 15, 2018 122
Posted by Pritisha and Mikaela

In 1975, India took a historic step by passing the Medical Termination Act (MTP). The act gave legal provision to women to terminate their pregnancies, but came with certain barriers. Although women now have the right to choose, this legal provision placed a time limit to such termination, that is, 20 gestation weeks. This limitation has been challenged by many women groups because in most cases, due to familial, social, and other pressures, by the time a woman is able to decide to terminate her pregnancy, 20 weeks have already passed. Hence, women are unable to terminate their pregnancy according to their choice. Such limitations violate a woman’s right to life and liberty, which is enshrined in our constitution under Article 21 of the constitution.

Continued: https://feminisminindia.com/2018/10/15/unsafe-abortion-india/