Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act 1994

When knowledge can be fatal
Thursday, 18 January 2018 | Swapna Majumdar | in Oped

It is disheartening that the courts have failed women in strengthening access to comprehensive abortion care. The country needs a gender-responsive justice system

The judiciary plays a key role in interpreting laws. On a sensitive issue like abortion, where policy and legal ambiguities exist, clarity provided by the court can ensure a woman's right to bodily integrity and autonomy. This is especially so when laws, like the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994 (PCPNDT Act) contradict provisions for safe abortions in the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act. Yet, a review of all judgements interpreting the MTP Act and other laws related to abortion till 2016 show that directives passed by three important Indian courts have perpetuated stereotypes of women seeking abortion.

Continued: http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/oped/when-knowledge-can-be-fatal.html

Attitudes to abortion putting women at risk of exploitation
Though abortions are legal in India, lack of transparency, social taboos and limited awareness are big hurdles for women with unwanted pregnancies

Soumya Gupta and Isha Trivedi
Nov 18, 2017

Mumbai: “Doctor? I never went to a doctor for an abortion,” says the 29-year-old, an advertising industry executive based in New Delhi, who discovered in 2009 that she was pregnant.

Her landlady had told her that pills are available in the market for inducing an abortion and she headed to Delhi’s government-run Safdarjung Hospital and asked for help at the pharmacy.

Continued at source: http://www.livemint.com/Science/Ug7l9ukXqIYZwgWcvhpTQJ/Attitudes-to-abortion-putting-women-at-risk-of-exploitation.html

Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act 1994

India: When knowledge can be fatal

India: Attitudes to abortion putting women at risk of exploitation