Two-child benefit cap influencing women’s decisions on abortion, says BPAS

Charity says policy was important factor in many deciding to terminate pregnancies during the pandemic

Patrick Butler Social policy editor
Thu 3 Dec 2020

The controversial “two-child limit” restricting the amount that larger families can receive in social security benefits was a key factor in many women’s decisions to terminate their pregnancy during the pandemic, according to a leading abortion charity.

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) said over half of the women it surveyed who had an abortion during the pandemic, and who were aware of the two-child limit and likely to be affected by it, said the policy was “important in their decision-making around whether or not to continue the pregnancy.”

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/dec/03/two-child-limit-on-benefits-a-key-factor-in-many-abortion-decisions-says-charity

03.12.2020

Bpas

British Pregnancy Advisory Service

increase in abortion rates

Jonathan Reynolds

Katherine O’Brien

two-child benefit cap

Helsinki Foundation intervenes over application of abortion ruling

DECEMBER 02, 2020

The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (HFHR) has said it is interceding in the matter of Polish hospitals applying a ruling by the Constitutional Tribunal (TK) banning abortions on the grounds of foetal damage even though the ruling has not been published.

The foundation said there was no legal basis to deny women a pregnancy termination for foetal abnormalities.

Continued: https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/helsinki-foundation-intervenes-over-application-of-abortion-ruling-18076

02.12.2020

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News

Copernicus Municipal Complex Hospital

Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights

HFHR

Jaroslaw Jagura

Poland Constitutional Tribunal

severe foetal defects

Abortion Clinics Are Rapidly Closing. Many Won’t Come Back

BY ABIGAIL ABRAMS
DECEMBER 2, 2020

Dr. Yashica Robinson is an optimist—and that, she says, is fortuitous. As one of the last abortion providers in Alabama, a willingness to see the bright side is practically a job requirement.

For much of the past year, Robinson, who is the medical director at the Huntsville-based Alabama Women’s Center for Reproductive Alternatives, and her staff have fought to overcome the challenges posed by COVID-19, while simultaneously battling a state effort to suspend all abortion services during the pandemic. “We will continue to be innovative and be creative and find ways that we will make this work,” she says, with characteristic resolve.

Continued: https://time.com/5916746/abortion-clinics-covid-19/

Rage and hope fuel women’s revolt over abortion in Poland

by VANESSA GERA, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Posted Dec 2, 2020

WARSAW, Poland — Karolina Micula had used her bare chest in political protest once before.

When Poland’s right-wing government first tried to restrict abortion rights, the actress and singer delivered an intense performance onstage in Wroclaw in 2017 that included her spreading paint in the national colours — white and red — onto her breasts and face, ending with a fist raised high.

Continued: https://www.570news.com/2020/12/02/rage-and-hope-fuel-womens-revolt-over-abortion-in-poland/

Battery acid, cassava sticks and clothes hangers: We must end the global gag rule

Critics say the policy has led to deep cuts in funding for family planning

Nelly Munyasia, Womba Wanki
2 Dec 2020

On 23 January 2017, United States President Donald Trump issued an expansion of the Mexico City Policy, or “global gag rule” (GGR), last implemented under George W Bush. The GGR blocks US global health assistance to any foreign nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) that perform abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or threat to the life of the woman; provide counselling on, or referrals for, abortion; or lobby for the liberalisation of abortion law. This stance is enforced even if the NGOs use non-US funds for these aspects of healthcare.

She Decides — a global women’s rights movement, of which we’re both members — was a direct response to the reinstatement of the GGR and its devastating effect on the lives and freedoms of women and girls. We are, therefore, encouraged by early indications that president-elect Joe Biden is expected to rescind this devastating rule as one of the new administration’s first acts.

Continued: https://mg.co.za/africa/2020-12-02-battery-acid-cassava-sticks-and-clothes-hangers-we-must-end-the-global-gag-rule/

‘Brave Sisters’ Tackle Croatia’s Growing Stigma Over Abortion

As women in Croatia encounter even greater difficulties in obtaining access to terminations of pregnancy, feminists are launching a new project to help them exercise what often seems a disappearing right.

Anja Vladisavljevic, Zagreb
December 1, 2020

Women’s rights activists in Croatia have been warning for years that, while legal, abortion is becoming less and less available in the mainly Catholic country.

“The opponents of abortion will stop at nothing,” Nada Peratovic, a lawyer and women’s rights activist, told BIRN.

Continued: https://balkaninsight.com/2020/12/01/brave-sisters-tackle-croatias-growing-stigma-over-abortion/

Cambodia – As stigma wanes, abortions rise

December 1, 2020
Rhea Mae Soco / Khmer Times

More Cambodians have openly accepted the idea of safe abortion despite the social stigma women are facing, according to Marie Stopes Cambodia, an organisation that promotes women’s health.

The prevalence of abortion increased significantly among women between the ages of 15-49 from five percent in 2010 to seven percent in 2014, based on the Cambodia Demographic Health Survey.

Continued: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50787882/as-stigma-wanes-abortions-rise/

01.12.2020

Cambodia Women’s Resource Center

Camille Tijamo

incidence of abortion

Marie Stopes Cambodia

What Joe Biden’s Election Means For Abortion Rights

December 1, 2020
Sarah McCammon

Like many abortion rights opponents, Tom McClusky is feeling good about battles won under President Trump during his four years in office.

"He has probably done more pro-life things than many Republicans who have had two terms," McClusky said.

Continued: https://www.npr.org/2020/12/01/935947603/what-joe-bidens-election-means-for-abortion-rights

Women’s movement sweeps Latin America to loosen abortion restrictions

Dec 1, 2020
By Daina Beth Solomon and Cassandra Garrison

MEXICO CITY/BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Several weeks pregnant and about to start a job away from home, Lupita Ruiz had no doubts about wanting to end her pregnancy, despite knowing she could face jail time for having an abortion under a law in her state of Chiapas in southern Mexico.

She asked friends for help until she found a doctor two hours from her town who agreed to do it in secret.

Continued: https://www.capebretonpost.com/news/world/womens-movement-sweeps-latin-america-to-loosen-abortion-restrictions-526103/

British pro-life group propagates viral misinformation about New Zealand’s abortion laws

AFP New Zealand, Taylor Thompson Fuller
Published on Monday 30 November 2020

A video posted by a British pro-life group on Facebook that contains multiple misleading claims about New Zealand’s abortion laws has been viewed tens of thousands of times. The video includes a false suggestion that abortion in New Zealand is “available on-demand, for any reason, up to birth”. Similar claims were published in multiple other anti-abortion posts shared in the United States.

The video was published by Right To Life UK here on Facebook on October 14, where it has been viewed more than 120,000 times.

Continued: https://factcheck.afp.com/british-pro-life-group-propagates-viral-misinformation-about-new-zealands-abortion-laws