Abortion

In response to a trend toward a standstill in efforts to legalize abortion abortion rights activists in several Third World Countries have shifted their focus from legalization to the provision of safer illegal abortion services. There is concern however that this approach will both undermine the struggle for abortion legalization and create the false sense that safety can co-exist with illegality. A safe abortion implies more than avoidance of maternal mortality and morbidity; it includes social psychological and political dimensions. Even when the government tolerates clandestine abortion there is always the threat of clinic raids and blackmail of abortion seekers. In addition clandestine abortion providers are likely to fear that political activism on behalf of legal abortion will result in a crackdown on existing services or punitive measures against providers. If medical malpractice occurs or a patients rights are violated (e.g. she is required to accept Norplant) there is no legal recourse under conditions of illegality. Even under the most humane conditions the ability of illegal abortionists to ensure patient safety is compromised by an inability to send tissue to outside laboratories for the identification of incomplete or missed abortions (such as result from ectopic pregnancy) or to refer patients with complications to hospitals. Finally the most important element of provider competence--the experience of repeatedly practicing the abortion procedure--is limited by fear of exposure should a large number of patients be accepted. Although the sincerity and commitment to womens health of clandestine abortion providers is admirable their actions threaten to undermine consciousness raising about the injustice that is always a part of illegal abortion

Abortion · Political science · Pregnancy · Principle of legality · Computer Science · Law · Medicine · Reproductive Health and Contraception · Reproductive Health and Technologies

• Adolescent girls, illegal abortions and "sugar-daddies" in Dar es Salaam

  Open Access•Margrethe Silberschmidt, Vibeke Rasch•Social Science & Medicine•2001

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• Making Abortions Safe

  Marge Berer•Reproductive Health Matters•2002

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