Abortion
And it's worldwide issues.
First of all, what is abortion?
Abortion is a quick and easy way for most people to end their pregnancy. Unfortunately, there are still many places that make it difficult or nearly impossible for somebody to have an abortion, resulting in about 25 million unsafe abortions a year and approximately 68,000 people die each year. As of now, there are two ways to end the pregnancy. One way is performed early in the pregnancy, called a medical abortion. This is when the pregnant person takes pills to end their pregnancy. The other is when the person has a surgical abortion later in the pregnancy.
Why would someone have an abortion?
Not ready for a(nother) child/Timing is wrong - 25%
Can’t afford a baby now - 23%
Have completed my childbearing/Have other people depending on me/Children are grown - 19%
Don’t want to be a single mother or am having relationship problems - 8%
Don’t feel mature enough to raise a(nother) child/Feel too young - 7%
Would interfere with education or career plans - 4%
Physical problem with my health - 4%
Possible problems affecting the health of the fetus - 3%
Other - 6%
The following categories were chosen by fewer than 0.5 percent of respondents and are not shown:
"Was a victim of rape",
"Husband or partner wants me to have an abortion",
"Parents want me to have an abortion",
"Don’t want people to know I had sex or got pregnant"
Why would this be a problem?
What are some laws about abortion in the world?
North America:
Canada- In 1988, Canada reconsidered their abortion laws and said that abortion restrictions were unconstitutional and made no legal restrictions on abortion.
The United States of America- In 1973, The U.S. legalized abortion, but could be limited or restricted by the states.
Mexico- Laws on abortion are heavily restricted in most parts of Mexico, though, in more conservative parts of the country, people are regularly taken to court for having and performing an abortion.
Greenland- Abortion was legalized in 1975, but would only happen if the pregnant parent had hadn't gone beyond their twelfth week. The only exception would be if the birth would be a physical or mental health risk to the parent, risk of the fetus having birth defects, or low socioeconomic status.If the parent is a minor, they would have to have their parent's consent before aborting.
El Salvador- Abortion is El Salvador is illegal. In 1998, a new abortion law passed saying that there are no exceptions to this law, believing that life begins at the moment they are conceived. They could serve 2-8 years in prison if the parent consented, 6-10 if not. A healthcare worker could serve up to 12 years.
Asia:
Russia- In 2011, a law was passed that declared abortion to be allowed in the first 12 weeks of a pregnancy. But if the pregnancy is a result of sexual abuse or rape it is allowed to go up to 22 weeks, or if there are medical problems with the fetus/parent. The parent has 5-7 days to "reconsider their choices." If an abortion is performed by someone who does not have a license, they can be fined up to 800,000 RUB, or Russian ruble, ($11,961.46 in USD), have to serve community service, typically 100 to 240 hours, or jail for 1-2 years. If the abortion resulted in the parent's death or harmed them heavily, they could serve up to 5 years.
China- Abortion is legal and on the parent's request. The only exception is sex-selective abortion, for a non-medical reason. This is most likely because many parents prefer sons over daughters. In 2001, a survey showed 117 boys to every 100 girls.
Japan- Abortion is considered illegal but is acceptable in many situations. The pregnant parent must have their spouse's approval and have a licensed doctor to perform the operation.
India-Abortion is allowed within the first 20 weeks of the pregnancy and is allowed if continuing the pregnancy/ giving birth would harm the parent, mentally or physically; If the baby is born, it would have serious handicaps/ mental or physical deformities; when it is a result of sexual abuse or rape; failure of some type of birth control.
Philippines- Abortion is illegal in the Phillippines, but many illegal abortions happen, leaving many people hospitalized.
Europe:
Germany- It is allowed in the first trimester, and only after if by medical reasons. To have an abortion, they must attend counseling called Schwangerschaftskonfliktberatung (pregnancy-conflict counseling) and wait 3 days.
France- Abortion is allowed within the first 12 weeks, only allowed after if it pertains to the parent's health or the child will suffer from an illness that is considered incurable.
Ireland- Abortion in Ireland is illegal unless to save the life of the parent.
Iceland- Abortion is legal within the first 16 weeks unless the parent's life is at risk or the child is ill in some way. It is required for anyone having an abortion to have counseling before and after the abortion.
South America:
Brazil- Brazil has strict laws around abortion. It is considered a crime to give yourself an abortion, give consent to an abortion, or perform an abortion. The only exceptions would be if the parent's life is in danger or they were a victim of rape.
Chile- Abortion was illegal until 2017. Now, in specific situations it is allowed: When the parent's life is at risk when the child will not survive to birth, the parent is a victim of rape (first 12 weeks, 14 weeks if the parent is under 14)
Peru- Abortion has been illegal since 1924 and is only allowed if the person's life or health is threatened. A parent who allows an abortion to be performed on them can serve up to 2 years in prison. Whoever performed it on them would serve up to 6 years in prison.
Columbia- Abortion is legal in Colombia under specific circumstances. For example, if the pregnancy is a result of rape, incest, or non-consensual insemination. An abortion would also be allowed if the parent's life is in danger or the child will not live.
Africa:
South Africa- South Africa allows anyone to have an abortion within 13 weeks of being conceived. If between 13-20 weeks they must have a reason. For example: In cases of rape incest etc.
Nigeria- Abortion is illegal. The only way an abortion is to save the parent's life. It is not allowed beyond that.
Madagascar- In Madagascar, abortion is illegal in every circumstance. It does not matter if the parent was a victim of rape, sexual abuse of incest, it does not matter if the parent's life is in danger by carrying the child. Abortion is illegal and will be punished.
Kenya- Abortion is only allowed to save the parent's life. It does state that if someone tries to cause a miscarriage, not mattering if they hold a child or not, forcing them or giving them something that would induce a miscarriage then they may have to serve up to 14 years in prison, 7 years if a parent induces the miscarriage themselves.
Central African Republic- Was considered illegal, but in 2006, the National Assembly stated that abortion would be legal in cases of rape, due to the fact sexual violence, rape, and gang rape was common in the country.
Oceania:
Austrailia- Australia's laws vary from state to state, 3 out of the 6 states are legal on the request of a parent. The other three vary from taking the situation of the parent to the physical/mental health of the parent.
Indonesia- It is illegal to have an abortion in Indonesia. The only exception is to save the parent's life. In no other circumstances is it allowed.
New Zealand- Abortion is legal if carrying the child threatens their life and/or physical/mental health. The parent must have two doctors approve the abortion, and the doctor have the right to refuse, in which the parent must find two doctors who will allow it.
Papua New Guinea- Abortion is illegal unless to save the parent's life. Abortion laws will vary from places in Papua New Guinea due to cultural laws and traditions.
Fiji- In Fiji, abortions must be approved by a physician, and must be a result of rape or incest, or must be a threat to the parents physical/mental health.
Bibliography
- Beale, Charlotte. “These Are the Countries Where It's Still Illegal to Get an Abortion.” World Economic ForumwwParenthood, Planned. “What Happens During an In-Clinic Abortion?” , 28 May 2018, w.weforum.org/agenda/2018/05/the-many-countries-where-abortion-still-banned/.
- “Kenya's Abortion Provisions.” Center for Reproductive Rights, 4 Oct. 2011, www.reproductiverights.org/world-abortion-laws/kenyas-abortion-provisions.
- International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion, and International Campaign for Women's Right. “Search Results for Abortion+in+Kenya.” Safe Abortion Women's Right, www.safeabortionwomensright.org/?s=abortion%2Bin%2Bkenya.
- “Abortion.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 6 Oct. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion.
- Ireland, Luu D. “Who Chooses Abortion? More Women than You Might Think.” The Conversation, 19 Sept. 2018, theconversation.com/who-chooses-abortion-more-women-than-you-might-think-99982.\
- Parenthood, Planned. “What Happens During an In-Clinic Abortion?” Planned Parenthood, www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/abortion/in-clinic-abortion-procedures/what-happens-during-an-in-clinic-abortion.
- Parenthood, Planned. “Abortion Information | Information About Your Options.” Planned Parenthood, www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/abortion.