China – Jiangxi abortion rule seeks sex ratio balance

Jiangxi abortion rule seeks sex ratio balance

2018-06-25

Women in Jiangxi province who are at least 14 weeks pregnant now need to show medical evidence and receive government approval before getting an abortion, a policy provincial authorities say can help balance the sex ratio and protect unborn girls.

Jiangxi's Health and Family Planning Commission issued a notice on its website recently that women who are more than 14 weeks pregnant and who wish to have an abortion must have signed approvals by three medical professionals confirming that the procedure is medically necessary.

The rule sparked debate among Chinese netizens, with some saying it crossed the line between government power and private rights, and that it infringes upon women's freedom of choice.

Continued: http://www.ecns.cn/news/society/2018-06-25/detail-ifyvmiee7354538.shtml


Left in the Dark on Contraception, Young Chinese Seek Abortions

Left in the Dark on Contraception, Young Chinese Seek Abortions
With premarital sex on the rise and sex ed lacking, more young women are facing unintended pregnancies.

Cai Yiwen
2018-04-30

SHANGHAI — Lying on the operating table, Qing watched as her doctor arranged the medical instruments she’d be using, piece by piece. For the first time since she decided to have an abortion, she started to panic: She had barely known anything about the procedure when she made the decision, and now the reality of the imminent surgery was sinking in. When the teen woke up an hour later, the 7-week-old embryo inside her had been removed.

Qing, whose name has been changed to protect her privacy, attends a high school in eastern China’s Fujian province that has never taught its students about sex or contraception, the 16-year-old said. Nor have her parents or other adults in her life ever broached such topics.

Continued: http://www.sixthtone.com/news/1002188/left-in-the-dark-on-contraception%2C-young-chinese-seek-abortions


ARMENIA – Network of advocates for women’s reproductive rights launched in Armenia

ARMENIA – Network of advocates for women’s reproductive rights launched in Armenia

by International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion
March 13, 2018

In 2017 the Women’s Resource Centre Armenia has launched an initiative to develop a network of experts to advocate for women’s reproductive rights. The Network members are representatives from different organizations and activists who have a background in reproductive rights. An issue of the highest importance currently, on which the network is focussing, is access to abortion.

In August 2016 the Armenian Government passed an amendment to the Law on Human Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights prohibiting sex-selective abortions. State policy is in reality trying to address the increase in overall number of abortions in Armenia. The law also introduces counselling, as well as a three-day period of reflection before the final decision is made on the request for a termination, and defines procedures to be taken against medical staff acting against this legislation.

Continued: http://www.safeabortionwomensright.org/armenia-network-of-advocates-for-womens-reproductive-rights-launched-in-armenia/


ARMENIA – Sex selection banned

ARMENIA – Sex selection banned
by International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion
Mar 2, 2018

Armenia, after China and Azerbaijan, is the third country in the world where we have the most abortions of female fetuses. According to the statistics, before a campaign to discourage the practice, between 110 and 120 boys were born for every 100 girls.

Pray to bear a son, they say. Abortions based on sex selection were prohibited in Armenia in 2016, because the sex ratio showed a considerable gap between men and women and was seen as a demographic threat. In spite of illegality, however, the practice persists.

Continued: http://www.safeabortionwomensright.org/armenia-sex-selection-banned/


Isle of Man – Allinson consults on abortion reform bill clause

Allinson consults on abortion reform bill clause

Wednesday, 21 February 2018
By A Reporter in Politics

The MHK steering abortion reform proposals through the House of Keys is consulting with a UK expert to see if one of the clauses needs to be re-worded.

During last week’s House of Keys, it was suggested that the wording of clauses covering when an abortion would be permitted after 24 weeks might need to match the UK law, if that was to be where most such procedures would be carried out.

Continued: http://www.iomtoday.co.im/article.cfm?id=38735&headline=Allinson%20consults%20on%20abortion%20reform%20bill&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2018


India: 56% Abortions Unsafe Despite Being Legal; Proposed Amendments On Hold

56% Abortions Unsafe Despite Being Legal; Proposed Amendments On Hold
Shaifali Agrawal, November 22, 2017

Niketa Mehta was in the 24th week of her pregnancy when a test revealed substantial abnormalities in the foetus’ heart that posed a risk to its survival. Mehta decided to abort, but found herself restrained by the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, which prohibits abortion of a foetus older than 20 weeks, except when “immediately necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman”.

Mehta’s obstetrician sought judicial authorisation (Nikhil Datar v. Union of India) from the Bombay High Court, saying Mehta did not want to give birth to a severely disabled infant and witness its suffering. The court refused, saying the issue was of future health risks to the unborn child, and not to the mother.

Continued at source: http://www.indiaspend.com/cover-story/56-abortions-unsafe-despite-being-legal-proposed-amendments-on-hold-42620


India: Doctor on hunger strike over wife’s abortion, but welfare officers call it miscarriage

Doctor on hunger strike over wife’s abortion, but welfare officers call it miscarriage
By Salonee Mistry, Pune Mirror
Sep 23, 2017

In an unusual case, a Daund-based veterinarian sat on an indefinite hunger strike against authorities of the State Family Welfare Department for not taking action against his wife, who he claims had illegally aborted their child.

After waiting for months for the authorities to take action in his favour, Pravin Kadam decided to stage a hunger strike till he gets justice. However, the department claims that the abortion was natural and that Kadam was unnecessarily involving the government in his personal dispute.

Continued at source: http://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/civic/doctor-on-hunger-strike-over-wifes-abortion-but-welfare-officers-call-it-miscarriage/articleshow/60799700.cms


Isle of Man: Sex selection not part of abortion reforms

Sex selection not part of abortion reforms

Sunday, September 3rd, 2017

Debate continues over termination criteria

A new legal query has been thrown up in the ongoing public debate over reform of the Island's abortion laws.

Responders to a public consultation have asked whether or not abortion could be prompted by sex selection requests.

Continued at source: Manx Radio: http://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/sex-selection-not-part-of-reforms/


India, Maharashtra: Government servants, netas likely used Solapur clinic for abortion, reveals investigation

Maharashtra: Government servants, netas likely used Solapur clinic for abortion, reveals investigation
Tejas Gandhi and his wife Priti were held for conducting gender-selective abortions

by Dhaval Kulkarni and Vallabh Ozarkar
Sep 3, 2017

Last week, the Solapur police had arrested Tejas Gandhi, 43, and his wife Priti, 41, who ran the Siya Maternity and Surgical Home in Akluj for allegedly conducting sex determination and gender-selective abortions.

Investigations in the Solapur female foeticide case have now revealed that government servants and candidates wanting to contest the local body elections may have used the services of the arrested doctor couple at Akluj to abort their unborn children. Government servants can avail of dependent benefits for only up to two children. For those who want to contest polls or have been elected to institutions like gram panchayats, panchayat samitis, zilla parishads and municipal bodies, the nominations and elections of those with over two children are liable to be set aside.

Continued at source: Daily News & Analysis: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-babus-netas-likely-used-solapur-clinic-to-abort-2542557


India: New guidelines allowing abortion till 24 weeks ‘only in rare cases’ may soon be issued

New guidelines allowing abortion till 24 weeks 'only in rare cases' may soon be issued

Section 5 of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act permits a termination after the mandated 20 weeks only if it is "immediately necessary" to save the life of the mother.

By Zee Media Bureau | Last Updated: Tuesday, August 1, 2017

New Delhi: After a suggestion from the PM's office, the Centre has made changes to the previously proposed amendments to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had earlier proposed that the maximum time for abortions be raised from the existing 20 weeks to 24 weeks.

Continued at source: Zee Media Bureau: http://zeenews.india.com/health/new-guidelines-allowing-abortion-till-24-weeks-only-in-rare-cases-may-soon-be-issued-2029021