INEQUALITY IN ABORTION RIGHTS

B Y- R U B E L PAT I L
BALLB 1ST YEAR B-45
A S S I G N E D B Y- D r. P r i y a n k a P a t w a r d h a n m a ' a m
 Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by
removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus.

ABORTION PROCEDURES
APPROVED BY WHO :
1. THE ABORTION PILL: This procedure

what is can only be done until the 10th week of

the pregnancy. Two medicines called
mifepristone and misoprostol are given to
abortion end the pregnancy. The medications work
by causing cramping and bleeding to
and its empty the uterus
2. SUCTION ABORTION/VACUUM

procedure ASPIRATION :it’s a surgical process and is

done only until 16 weeks of pregnancy. Its
done by light suction to empty the uterus.

3. DIALATION AND EVACUATION:

it’s a surgical process done after 16 weeks
of pregnancy. By using suction or
medical tools to empty the uterus
ABORTION RIGHTS ACCORDING
TO INTERNATIONAL HUMAN
RIGHTS
The denial to abortion is considered
as both illegal and inhumane by the
international humanitarian law.
Every individual has the right to attain
the highest standard of sexual and
reproductive health-WHO
right to abortion is mentioned under –
-RIGHT TO LIFE
-THE RIGHT TO AUTONOMY AND
BODILY INTEGRITY
-RIGHT TO HEALTH
INDIAN ABORTION RIGHTS

MTP ACT 1971-

This is the first act that laid down rights for
abortion.
It allowed a woman to have an abortion until
20 weeks.
If the pregnancy pasts 20 weeks abortion will
be granted only for few exceptions. i.e. in case
of rape or incest or the mother being mentally
unstable.
MTP BILL 2021-
It increased the time frame of pregnancy from 20 weeks to 24 weeks to get an
abortion.
It also stated that every woman should get an abortion by a gynaecologist or
obstetrician.
It also added the clause of maintaining the right to privacy of the woman getting
an abortion.
THE ISSUE’S:
 LACK OF SAFE ABORTION
CENTRES OR NO ACCESS TO
HEALTHCARE:
MTP act 2021 states that every women should get an
abortion by a specialist .
The only access of healthcare they have is by
Ayurveda or homeopathy doctors.
No access to reproductive health care.

Women who could afford 6 women

sanitary pads.
Women who couldn’t afford 11 women • 1
sanitary pads.

The government hospitals do not have specialists; major

issue in rural areas
They cant afford or know the difference on how to get a
safe abortion.
ILLITERACY :
Women don’t know about abortion or their
abortion rights.
They don’t choose to terminate the pregnancy
even after knowing they don’t have enough
income to raise more children.
They usually get bound by tradition that doesn’t
allow abortion.

THIS LEADS TO …..

• UNSAFE ABORTIONS
• INCREASE IN MATERNAL MORTALITY
RATE
• POVERTY
• MALNUTRITION
 LACK OF SEX EDUCATION:

In todays day and age, consensual sex between minors has became an accepted norm.

The reason being the stigma that sticks around it.

The only sex education adolescent's get is through their syllabus.
Non acceptance to the fact that according to the NFHS IN 2017 an estimate of 11.8 million teenage
pregnancies occurred in India
The effects :
No knowledge of contraceptives which leads to an
unwanted pregnancy.
Fear of asking about contraceptives either in school or at
home.
Fear in adolescents to reach out for adult guidance for an
abortion because of fear of being judged.
For adolescents from 15 -18 who cant get an abortion
legally without a guardian.
Choose going to illegal abortion centres or conduct a self
induced abortion or even worse take extreme decisions.
Teenagers who do reach out to a certified specialist lie
about their age.
What can be done :
Create a safe environment at home where adolescents
can reach out for help.
Conduct sex education sessions in schools.
Informing about legitimate contraceptive .
Which would help in decreasing the number of
unwanted pregnancy subsequently decreasing the
number of unsafe abortion
 ABORTION RIGHTS OF
ABOVE 18 UNMARRIED
WOMEN
A woman above 18 is legally eligible to get an
abortion on her own.
The mtp act 2021 also protects the privacy of a
woman getting an abortion .
The right to be left alone
They still are in constant fear that they will be
scrutinized by the society.
Post abortion side effects :
Mental distress , depression
The society's judgements just adds up to their
stress
AFTER POSING THE QUESTION:(TO ABOVE 50 YEAR OLD
INDIVIDUALS)
WOULD U SOCIALLY ACCEPT A WOMEN WHO HAS AN
ABORTION ?
I GOT 13 CLEAR NO’S
WITH NOT ENOUGH TIME TAKEN TO THINK ABOUT THE
QUESTION

THE TWO PEOPLE WHO DID SAY YES SAID THAT IF THEY
DO ACCEPT THEY WOULDN’T BE ACCEPTED AS A
CITIZEN TO THE SOCIETY.
BECAUSE THEY HAVE GROWN UP WITH THIS MENTALITY
THE WOMAN WOULD BE CONSIDERED AS
UNMARRIAGABLE AND WILL BE ISOLATED .
WHICH IS A BRUTAL PRACTICE CONSIDERING SHE HAS
BEEN RESPONSIBLE BY TAKING A DECISION FOR HER
WELL BEING.
 SEX SELECTIVE ABORTION:

• It is a cruel practice of terminating a pregnancy

based on the gender. This is based on sex
determination.
• Even after putting restrictions on this it still
happens in India.
• Women are abstained of having the choice of
whether to have an abortion or not.
• Women are pressurized to bear a male child and
are constantly blamed if it’s a girl.
• Certified practitioners run illegal sex
determination and abortion centres.
• When asked to the women in my family it is still
expected from them to have at least one male
child.
 ABORTION RIGHTS OF RAPE VICTIMS:
If the rape victims crosses 24 weeks of pregnancy then she will have to file a
writ petition asking permission for an abortion.
In rural areas, they cant reach out to supreme courts for having the
permission.
The time of pregnancy gets more extended as it is difficult to guess a
pregnancy in young rape victim early.
After have gone through so much trauma the final decision is to be made by
the court of whether she would be allowed to get an abortion how is that
fare?.
In an interview advocate alakh alok Srivastava talked about his client who
was a 10 year old rape victim with a 28 weeks pregnancy and had appealed
for an abortion but the supreme court thought that it would be more safe for
her to not get an abortion.
Priyanka Chaturvedi, Member of Rajya Sabha said “For her to run to
medical boards which has 3 doctors and few state representatives is
extremely demeaning and invasion of her privacy, invasion of choice”
This just adds up to the trauma that the woman is already going through
because of the brutal assault that she has faced .
MORE FACTS…..

EGYPT Not allowed

El Salvador Not allowed
Dominican republic Not allowed
Honduras Not allowed
Iraq Not allowed
Madagascar Not allowed
Philippines Not allowed
Angola Not allowed

These are the countries where abortion is banned and is not permissible even on the
ground of rape or incest.
Some countries allow abortion only in cases of rape or incest only until 24 weeks.
CONCLUSION:
WE ARE CONSIDERED AS A VERY WOKE GENERATION.
THAT BEING SAID WE NEED TO CREATE AWARENESS
ABOUT THE DISCUSSED ISSUES. WE HAVE THE POWER OF
YOUTH THAT CAN BRING A HUGE CHANGE. BUT TO
EMPOWER WOMEN WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR
HUMAN RIGHTS ARE PROVIDED TO THEM EFFECTIVELY.
INFORMING WOMEN FROM RURAL AREAS OF NOT JUST
THEIR ABORTION RIGHTS BUT ALSO THEIR
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IS OF DIRE NEED IN OUR
COUNTRY. WE WILL BECOME A DEVELOPED COUNTRY
ONLY WHEN THE WOMEN OF OUR COUNTRY ARE
RESPECTED AND THEIR RIGHTS ARENT SNATCHED FROM
THEM.
thank you to one and all present for bearing with me through the
presentation. thank you ma’am for giving me the opportunity to
represent my opinions and if there are any questions feel free to ask
.