Jamaica – Letter of the Day | Break down barriers to abortion

Letter of the Day | Break down barriers to abortion

Published:Saturday | November 3, 2018

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Jamaica, like many developing countries across the world, is in need of laws that create space for safe-abortion care. Many persons in Jamaica, particularly men, seem to have this notion that women shouldn't have the right to access abortion care because it is their duty to carry children no matter how having that child may affect their life.

Professor Wendel Abel, head of The University of the West Indies' (UWI) Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, stated on Tuesday, October 10, 2018, at a Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange: "Unsafe abortion accounts for the third leading cause of maternal death. And why this is important is that maternal deaths and under-five deaths are sensitive measures of the quality of our healthcare."

Continued: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/letters/20181103/letter-day-break-down-barriers-abortion

Jamaica – Abortion war needs dose of compassion

Abortion war needs dose of compassion

by Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health
Published: Sunday, October 28, 2018

Our consideration of abortion in Jamaica has, for too long, been characterised by contention and an apparent lack of empathy for those directly affected.

The result has been that there are vulnerable people who have been denied the space to express themselves on the issue, leaving some of us in the dark on the precise circumstances with which they are faced.

Continued: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/focus/20181028/christopher-tufton-abortion-war-needs-dose-compassion

Jamaica – Editorial | Democratise right to abortion

Editorial | Democratise right to abortion

Published:Sunday | October 28, 2018

As Christopher Tufton, the health minister, suggests, there is no need to reinvent the wheel with regard to the debate on abortion in Jamaica. At least, not totally. Parliament already has sufficient information on which to act.

So, the existing provisions of the Offences Against the Person Act, which make it almost impossible for a woman to terminate a pregnancy under any circumstance, are anachronistic and cruel and should be repealed forthwith.

Continued: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/commentary/20181028/editorial-democratise-right-abortion

JAMAICA – Abortion plea

JAMAICA – Abortion plea
April 10, 2018

Experts urge repeal of century-old law in jamaica

KINGSTON – Legislators are being urged to repeal sections of the more than century-old Offences Against the Person Act which prevent Jamaican women from legally terminating pregnancies.

The appeal came from a group of experts in human rights in patient care at yesterday’s Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange, ahead of International Day for Maternal Health and Rights being observed tomorrow.

Continued: http://barbadostoday.bb/2018/04/10/jamaica-abortion-plea/

Jamaica: Support young parliamentarians’ call for abortion law review

Support young parliamentarians' call for abortion law review

BY Glenroy Murray
Thursday, November 09, 2017

It is not everyday that we find parliamentarians across both parties in agreement about the need to address a legislative issue. Despite its controversial nature, especially given the propensity of extremist elements within the Church, the issue of abortion is being viewed through bipartisan lens, and rightly so. We should commend the bold parliamentarians, who are all relatively young, for stepping forward and highlighting how our antiquated abortion laws are a blockade to progress as we strive to achieve Vision 2030.

Dr Christopher Tufton, Dr Dayton Campbell, Alando Terrelonge, and Lisa Hanna have all raised the need to review our abortion laws for a multiplicity of reasons.

Continued at source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/opinion/support-young-parliamentarians-8217-call-for-abortion-law-review_116498?profile=1096

09.11.2017