The Right to Abortion

Posted on by Parul Thakur
Picture Credits: Amnesty International - #NiñaEnPeligro
Picture Credits: Amnesty International – #NiñaEnPeligro

She was raped by her stepfather, but she was not allowed an abortion. When she reached the hospital at 21 weeks pregnant and pain in tummy, she was declared healthy and that the baby was growing normally. I was shocked when I got to know she is just a 10-year-old and does not even realize that in another 15 weeks, she will have to take care of this child. 

The laws in Paraguay state that if the mother is at life threatening risk, only then a medical termination of pregnancy is allowed. What the law is failing to realize is that a 10-year-old is not physically capable of giving birth to a child – leave alone the psychological implications of a child-birth. Her body isn’t even ready for such a big change.Yes, she conceived but that was cos she was raped. At the age when she should be studying and playing with kids, imagine what she will have to go through to bring the baby into the world and the struggles thereafter.

Abortion should be the right of a woman and if she is a girl like the ten-year old in question, then her parents or guardians should be taking that call for her. If a woman was raped or there was an unwanted pregnancy, it should be her prerogative. Pregnancy should be a matter or choice rather than the lack of any choice. In such cases, where mothers are at risk, an abortion should be a right to exercise and not a restriction to be imposed.

Many countries around the world restrict abortion or safe medical termination of pregnancy. Whether it has got religious connotations or not, nothing can be more important than the life of a human being. In another case that happened in Ireland, Savita Halappanavar had a miscarriage when she was 17 weeks pregnant. Yet, she was denied an abortion and later passed away. The laws of the country again wanted to save the life of the new-born at the risk of the mother’s life and Savita lost her life.

Governments across the world should aim for a uniform law that allows a woman to be able to decide what she wants to do. This could include her right to term a pregnancy as well. Safe abortions will not lead to crime as what was committed by Purvi Patel and would help women choose what’s right for them. Safe medical procedures and legal abortions should exist and health of the mother should be of priority. In my mind, this is a basic right that cannot be ignored by any government of  the world.

What do you think?

Picked as a "Spicy Saturday" Read on May 9, 2015
Picked as a “Spicy Saturday” Read on May 9, 2015

61 thoughts on “The Right to Abortion”

  4. I saw the report and was heavily saddened by that girl’s situation. Giving birth is not an easy task whatever be the age. And at 10, when you know nothing about pregnancy and child birth , you ate forced to conceive a child and nurture it to full term, it just weakens my heart, even the mere thought what she must be going through both physically and mentally. Laws should not punish the innocent. And laws should not be followed just for the sake of it. There is something called humanity and we must not cage it with the so called laws!

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  5. That Purvi Patel issue is scary. I had not read about it until now.

    I agree with what you have to say. But you know there are a lot of women out there who agree on the same, but are scared to voice out their opinions. Thankfully I am not one of them and hence the long comment 🙂

    Abortion is a choice. Just like having a baby is. I am not advocating it, but I’m saying that it should be allowed if a woman does not want to have a baby. Incase of rape victims, I think it is important to give them emergency contraceptive pills as soon as the act comes to light. If not, abortion must be allowed. And same with unwanted pregnancies. A child is a huge responsibility and one needs to be prepared mentally, physically and financially for it. If not, having a baby is not an option. A termination is better than giving birth and having no means to fend for the child. Or blaming the child for their suddenly paused life. Believe me I have seen it happen with so many urban couples that I feel like crying. They blame a tiny tot for their financial troubles. For their lack of privacy. For their lack of freedom. And when I asked them why did you not go in for an abortion, they said the mostly used words, “Log kya kahenge?”. I wanted to spit out in disgust.

    I repeat it again. Abortion is a choice and I see no harm in a woman choosing it.

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    1. Purvi Patel’s case was an eye opener in my mind. She knew she will not be allowed an abortion so she had to do something to terminate the pregnancy. Yes, she did wrong by dumping the foetus but if she was allowed a safe abortion, today she would not have been convicted for 20 years in prison. I find it sad! She did not have a choice..
      Coming over to the other point raised by you, I could not agree more..I have seen couples not ready to be parents after 10 months of marriage but they could not imagine an abortion. What’s the point in having a child when you never wanted to have it in the first place? Abortion is a taboo in India too. Doctors look at you with disgust when you mention MTP – married or unmarried..
      Thanks for stopping by Soumya and sharing your thoughts. Welcome to Happiness and Food!

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  6. How can we have such regressive and medieval laws, in the times we live!! Purvi Patel’s case is shocking and that Savita’s case is truly tragic. I shudder to imagine the life and plight of the 10 year old with a child. I hope the international agencies come to the aid of this little girl!

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  7. This situation is horrible. I read about it this morning. In addition, the government’s statement that “many 10-14 year old girls who were raped by relatives give birth safely in our country” was horrifying.

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  9. hi,
    There are many thoughts for abortion and I respect your thoughts on it.
    I have my own thoughts as follows:
    Surgical abortion is more painful to the child as the body parts are chopped when child is alive.
    Instead, child can be killed by giving an electric shock and then taken out by chopping body parts. Electric shock will stop child’s heart. That would be less painful.
    The other benefit of such electrocuted abortion is that woman will make sensible decision for abortion. What do you say? I just like to know the views?
    regards
    http://YourWellWisherProgram.wordpress.com

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    1. I think you got me wrong. I am not talking about a fully developed foetus here..Additionally, I am not medical expert to comment on the way an abortion is carried out. Of course, I am also not in for killing a grown up foetus here.

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      2. There is nothing like mistake.Sorry, if I made you feel that way..I appreciate that you always stop by to share your thoughts. We are all learning and sometimes, we look at things emotionally than objectively.

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      1. Then people come to derail the conversation by stating that courageous woman like you are writing on an atrocity that is rape but in reality rape is treated more or less like a joke in both Western and Eastern societies.
        Its funny every time we raise voices for ending violence against GIRL child, we are fobbed off with with societal and religious justifications to stop. RAPE IS RAPE and there will be no fancy words swaying women rights crusaders to accept it.
        For God’s sake she is just 10?!!!
        Its also illuminating to note that there is hardly any condemnation of the perverted step father who couldn’t keep his pants zipped up whose single evil act has changed the life of this 10 year old girl and now she has to pay the repercussions for his heinousness.
        In my career, I have worked with organizations that focus on rape and sexual assault issues, sincerely I have no wish to offend you Parul or any one over here but I cannot stand silent on this post as it deserves all my attention.
        I have previously written on rape at my blog with an angle of religion, maybe you will find them interesting too.

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      2. You are not offending anybody here S..This is my space and this post is public cos I want it that way..

        You and I are together in this and I am talking as a woman. I need to have the right to my body and I feel every woman should have. Abortion whether denied by any religious or cultural beliefs is after all penalizing who? The ones who are saying “NO”?? Be it Savita, Purvi or this little girl – it’s the female who is having to bear the pain and that’s so wrong..

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  12. Hi Parul
    I have same thoughts as mentioned in your post.
    Thanks to you for sharing and highlighting them, it is much required.
    This is more than just women right issue, it’s about humanity, certain section of our society need to understand that women are not machine or a mechanical object.

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  13. this is awful… i actually don’t know whether it is right to abort a child or not, but in case of rape, i believe woman should have a choice, and for god sake, she is just 10 year old kid.

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    1. That’s the point Hemendra..within 8 weeks, it’s unfair to called the embryo a “child”..it’s not a foetus even within 8 weeks..
      I think other than Rape, abortion should be a woman’s choice cos after all it’s her body..

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      1. Thanks so much Parul, I really appreciate your solidarity and please review my post with due mentions, once again means a lot to me to have a like minded supporter like you!

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      2. Thank you for sharing the link with me. I would not have known about Mukhtara Mai, if you hadn’t mentioned that. Thank you for your support. I hope we can see a better world while we are alive.

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  20. The case that you have brought out and the issue you have raised is astonishing for many. I always use to be against termination, thinking, why to end the life of an innocent? but on the brighter side, I feel, why to spoil the life of an innocent for ever when you (parents), yourself are not ready/happy for it in the first place. So yes, getting an abortion is not that bad as it seems.. Thank you for sharing. Your posts give me strength to stand for myself and my views. And I can never thank you enough for that.

    Cheers

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    1. Geetika – as always, your words are so kind. I’m glad you feel stronger. Always remember that pregnancy should be a choice and not a forced thing.. Thank you for stopping by..

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  22. Parul this is a very heart rending and shocking post. Imagine a ten year old ”child” being reped and becoming pregnant by her step father! First of all such a person must be publically punished. Did he have no shame in committing such a hienous crime?Such men should not be allowed to live freely.His ”instrument ” of crime must be castrated compulsorily as a punishment.
    In case of rape, it must be the prerogative of the mother to give birth to the child . In this case the victim herself is a child. Making laws aganst abortion is not the answer. The child must get justice!

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  23. A powerful post Parul! Valuing life should be the main objective. And that means the life of a women about to be a mother. It can’t be a decision ever for the circumstances are always different. But yes, valuing and freedom of one life can easily set things right. People need to get that. Thanks for sharing.

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  25. I agree that abortion laws need to be changed world wide. I was shocked to find that in some Australian states, abortion is still illegal. Surprisingly though, I know of people who have still gone through safe abortions. But I guess the fear of being caught is always there. At the end of the day, if a family is not ready for children or if a woman has been raped or there is danger to the mother, they should have the choice to end the pregnancy. In the end, if they have to go through with the pregnancy, the child and the mother both suffer. So what’s the point?!

    Great post Parul!

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  26. I TOTALLY agree with you, Parul.
    It’s not fair to label abortion as sinful. Like you say in your post, people have their own reasons for doing it; it’s not like it’s easy on the person who is having to undergo it.

    Good job Parul — for trying to tell people that the coin has a second side too. 🙂

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  27. Painful to hear such stories! I definitely support this. May be physically the little girl could bear it (I doubt though), for sure this is a psychological stress to her life. On psychological grounds, abortions in such cases much be allowed.

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  28. Whoa. That Purvi Patel case was quite something :O. Actually the problem is I think since a lot of people have misused this option to abort, strong laws have come in place to prevent them from doing so. But again these laws shouldn’t come in the way of cases of rape and sexual assaults where women should be allowed the choice to abort and start their life afresh.

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  30. I didn’t know about this issue in Paraguay. Thanks for bringing it to the attention of many- Dialogue will help everyone see the right and wrong and impel them to act. My stance is simple: Governments should work on eradicating rape (even marital) and abolish any laws with regards to abortion. Each individual and their doctors then can decide what’s best for them.

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