India is the most liberal country in the whole world where the abortion law permits abortions up to 24 weeks to all women. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy [MTP] Act, 1973 & Amendment in 2021 regulates abortions in India & the object & purpose is access of safe and legal abortion to all women in India. The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India recently in the landmark Judgment X v. On 29.09.2022, the Principal Secretary Govt. NCT of Delhi allowed all unmarried women to abort an abortion during 24 weeks in India.
However, even with the introduction of the MTP Act, many challenges continue to restrict full access to safe and legal abortions, forcing women to seek clandestine unsafe abortions.
Safe Medical Abortion Vs Unsafe Abortion Methods
According to Dr Rupali Mishra, Sonologist & Founder of Dr. Rupali’s Abortion Centre, “These challenges include inadequate access to infrastructural facilities, a lack of awareness, social stigma & failure to provide confidential care. In some situations, unmarried or single women face particular barriers due to gender stereotypes about women’s sexual autonomy outside marriage.”
“These barriers are a serious impediment & deter single women from seeking safe and legal abortions. Such barriers may contribute to a delay in accessing abortion services or a complete denial of such services, consequently negating women’s right to reproductive autonomy,” she adds.
Why Is Unsafe Abortion Dangerous?
Due to widespread misconception that termination of pregnancies of unmarried women is illegal, a woman & her partner may resort to availing of abortions by Quacks or unlicensed medical practitioners in facilities not adequately equipped for such medical procedures, leading to a heightened risk of complications & maternal mortality.
Also Read: Periods After Abortion: Expert Explains What to Expect from Related Bleeding
“The consequence of Unsafe & Illegal Abortions is highly serious and impacting society at large especially unmarried & single women. They go to quacks or unregistered centres for their termination & put their life at risk & complications of uterine rupture, infections, permanent infertility & sometimes death also occur,” shares Dr Rupali Mishra.
- Unsafe abortions are the third leading cause of maternal mortality in India, according to the 2022 State of the World Population report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
- The report states that nearly eight women die every day from causes related to unsafe abortions. Between 2007 and 2011, 67 percent of abortions in India were categorized as unsafe.
Also Read: Understanding Safe Abortion Practices: A Guide For Young Adults Aged 18 & Above
Why Abortion Myths Need To Be Busted
It is not only the factors mentioned above which hinder access to safe abortion but there are myths among females, such as:
- Doctor consultation & ultrasound scan is not required
- Abortion can be done by taking abortion pills from any local medical shops
- Home or online remedies are sufficient for termination of early pregnancy
- Suction Evacuation Method is not safe for abortion
These are all myths & misconceptions & to be dispelled by true facts. It is to be noted that Self medications are always harmful and life threatening.
Though Abortion Pills mifepristone & misoprostol are commonly used for medical abortions up to 9 weeks of gestation but it must be taken only at approved medical facilities registered by the State Government. That it is a well settled law that these pills can be given at registered medical facilities only by licensed & qualified doctors & not from any local medical shops or doctors. Before giving medical methods, Ultrasound Scan is mandatory to confirm the pregnancy & to rule out the Ectopic Pregnancy. And after taking the abortion method, medical supervision, health monitoring of follow-up ultrasound scan is compulsory.