India – ‘Parents should not pressurise girl for abortion’: Gujarat HC allows minor to end pregnancy

The observation was in the context of that the man the girl was in a relationship with which led to the pregnancy, opposed the termination of the pregnancy.

By: Express News Service

Ahmedabad | September 9, 2023

The Gujarat High Court on Friday permitted a 17-year old girl to terminate her 19-week pregnancy even as the court, after perusing investigation records in the case, orally remarked that her parents should not pressure her to go for an abortion.

The court of Justice Samir Dave, in the order, also quoted a verse from ‘Skanda Purana’ to emphasise on the value mothers hold in the society. The verse from Skanda Purana, Chapter 6 103-104 notes that “there is no shade, shelter and protection like that of a mother, no life giver in this world like the mother.”

Continued: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-hc-abortion-minor-pregnancy-8931885/

09.09.2023

Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act

Privacy For Minors Seeking Abortion Post Consensual Sex: Madras HC

In a significant legal announcement, the Madras High Court has ruled that doctors are not obligated to reveal the identity of a minor seeking termination of pregnancy due to consensual sexual activity.

Harnur Watta
Aug 19, 2023

In a significant legal pronouncement, the Madras High Court has ruled that doctors are not obligated to reveal the identity of a minor seeking termination of pregnancy due to consensual sexual activity.

This landmark decision was issued by a Special Bench of Justices N Anand Venkatesh and Sunder Mohan, specially convened to address cases involving the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Continued: https://www.shethepeople.tv/news/privacy-for-minors-seeking-abortion-madras-hc-ruling

20.08.2023

News

Madras High Court

Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act

minors and abortion

N Anand Venkatesh

POSCO Act

privacy for minors seeking abortion

Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act

When People Don’t Say ‘Abortion’: How News Media Shapes Public Perception

Representation in the media can make or break the fight for safe abortions. Here’s how to do it right.

ANOUSHKA RAJESH
28 Sep 2022

“Where I am from, people don’t even say the word 'abortion'," says Meenakshi Saxena, who works with the Foundation for Reproductive Health Services India. She goes on to explain how instead they use 'MTP' as a verb.

MTP refers to the celebrated Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, the law that protects abortion rights in India.

Continued: https://www.thequint.com/fit/her-health/international-safe-abortion-day-news-media-public-perception-guidelines

India – Illegal Abortion Case Leads Police to 11 Skulls, 56 Foetal Bones in Hospital Premises

A day ago, a doctor and two nurses were arrested from the family-run Kadam Hospital, in Arvi city of Wardha district in Maharashtra.

The Wire Staff
Jan 15, 2022

New Delhi: Police have found 11 skulls and 56 foetal bones from the premises of a hospital under fire for performing an abortion on a 13-year-old girl.

Indian Express has reported that a day ago, a doctor and two nurses were arrested from the family-run Kadam Hospital, in Arvi city of Wardha district in Maharashtra.

Continued: https://thewire.in/government/illegal-abortion-case-leads-police-to-11-skulls-56-foetal-bones-in-hospital-premises

17.01.2022

Kadam Hospital

POSCO Act

Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act

rape and abortion

Amended Abortion Law Still Gives Doctors, Not Women, The Final Say

The amended abortion law has allowed termination of pregnancy up to 24 weeks but with a medical board's approval. Abortion is still not available on demand and a woman's agency is not recognised

By Akshita Nagpal
27 April, 2021

New Delhi: The terms for abortion have been liberalised in India after an amended law received the President's assent on March 25, 2021. But gender and reproductive rights activists are disappointed that the law still does not recognise abortion as a woman's choice that can be sought on-demand, as is the practice in 73 countries.

These are the key changes that the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP Amendment) Act, 2021, has brought in:

Continued: https://www.indiaspend.com/gendercheck/amended-abortion-law-still-gives-doctors-not-women-the-final-say-744747

INDIA Prime Minister’s Cabinet tables proposal for abortion law reform

FEATURE: INDIA Prime Minister’s Cabinet tables proposal for abortion law reform

14 February 2020
International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion

On 29 January 2020, the Cabinet of Prime Minister Modi published the text of a bill to amend the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971. The bill is to be introduced in the ensuing session of the Union Parliament, where it will be debated. A summary of the current law, the amendments it proposes, and responses to the bill by leading NGOs working for abortion rights in India are reported below. Text in quotes is taken direct from the source.

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act 1971
The 1971 Act says that a pregnancy may be terminated up to 20 weeks of pregnancy with the approval of one registered medical practitioner up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, or the approval of “no less than two registered medical practitioners” from 12 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. Approval must be given “in good faith” that:

Continued: https://mailchi.mp/safeabortionwomensright/feature-india-prime-ministers-cabinet-tables-proposal-for-abortion-law-reform-14-february-2020?e=372dd34034

India – Criminalisation of even consensual sex between adolescents obstructs access to safe abortion for girls

Criminalisation of even consensual sex between adolescents obstructs access to safe abortion for girls

October 19, 2019
Vrinda Grover

Unsafe abortion is the third leading cause of maternal mortality in India, leading to about 10 deaths every day. ‘The incidence of abortion and unintended pregnancy in India, 2015’ study records that of the 15.6 million abortions in 2015, only 22% were conducted in health facilities, whereas an overwhelming 78% abortions were done outside health facilities. Adolescent girls, in the age group of 16-18 years, are left at the mercy of life-threatening pregnancy termination methods. A 2010 facility-based study discloses that 20-30% of abortion seekers were unmarried young women and adolescent girls; and 16.7% of them were victims of sexual abuse.

Significantly, this life endangering vulnerability is abetted by the law. Section 19(1) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act stipulates mandatory reporting of all sexual offences against a child to the law enforcement authorities, and failure to report the same entails punitive consequences.

Continued: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/toi-edit-page/criminalisation-of-even-consensual-sex-between-adolescents-obstructs-access-to-safe-abortion-for-girls/

India’s abortion law — ahead of its time in 1971 but now behind science, societal demands

India’s abortion law — ahead of its time in 1971 but now behind science, societal demands
Abortion has been legal for 48 years but is still not based on women's rights. Moreover, experts argue it isn't in line with current medical and societal standards.

Aneesha Bedi and Apoorva Mandhani
Updated: 3 June, 2019

New Delhi: Two years ago, in August 2017, the Supreme Court refused to grant permission to a 10-year-old school-going rape survivor from Chandigarh to abort her 32-week-old foetus. The apex court relied on a medical board report, which warned that abortion would risk the girl’s life.

This despite the girl having told the court that her body was not ready for childbirth. She was forced to deliver, giving birth to a baby girl soon after.

Continued: https://theprint.in/india/indias-abortion-law-ahead-of-its-time-in-1971-but-now-behind-science-societal-demands/244884/

Abortion has been legal in India since 1971 but it is still not a woman’s right

Abortion has been legal in India since 1971 but it is still not a woman’s right
Nozer Sheriar
22 April, 2018

Legal barriers, such as the blanket 20-week gestation limit, no mention of unmarried women in the clause of contraceptive failure, the need for physician’s consent – all constrain and deny women reproductive justice.

According to a Worldometers projection, the world has witnessed 36.4 million childbirths since the beginning of this year, and 10.8 million induced abortions. The birth of a child usually gets attention, support and celebration. Abortions usually get judgment, stigma and punishment.

Continued: https://theprint.in/opinion/abortion-has-been-legal-in-india-since-1971-but-it-is-still-not-a-womans-right/51634/

Safe abortions: Why India needs more trained providers

Safe abortions: Why India needs more trained providers
Botched procedures kill 10 women every day; abortion deaths currently account for 8% of India’s 44,000 annual maternal fatalities.

Nov 25, 2017
Sanchita Sharma, Hindustan Times

One in four pregnancies worldwide ends in an abortion, which can be a very risky procedure if botched by an untrained provider. Yet, close to half of all abortions done worldwide are unsafe, killing 47,000 women and disabling another 5 million every year.

Of the 55.7 million abortions that occurred worldwide each year between 2010 and 2014, the most recent period for which data are available, only 30.6 million (54.9%) were safe, found a review of data from 182 countries. Of the 25.1 million unsafe abortions, 17.1 million were less safe and 8 million very unsafe, found a study published in The Lancet in September.

Continued at source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/columns/safe-abortions-why-india-needs-more-trained-providers/story-PVXmYCEeGZiFSDxAdiCwPP.html