-Ananya Shree Mundara
Abortion is a societal issue that has sparked contentious debates worldwide. Women who opt to terminate a pregnancy before the foetus is capable of living on its own face a difficult decision that can have negative effects on their physical, psychological, and emotional health. Abortion laws vary from country to country, with some nations permitting the practise under certain circumstances and others prohibiting it altogether. This article will discuss the societal issue of abortion and its impact on women, their families, and society as a whole.
Abortion has been a political and societal issue for centuries. In the United States, women have argued that they should have the same right to terminate a pregnancy as men have to end a potential life. This notion has been at the forefront of the women's rights movement in the country. Although abortion law in the US is a federal matter, abortion-related debates frequently arise at the state level.
In 1973, the Supreme Court of the United States made history by ruling in Roe v. Wade that a woman's decision to have an abortion was protected by the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of her right to privacy. The ruling invalidated state legislation that made abortion illegal. However, abortion opponents have been working tirelessly to overturn Roe v. Wade since the case was decided. With the appointment of conservative justices to the US Supreme Court in recent years, this strategy has proved successful. The Court's ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Casey in 1992 affirmed the fundamental principles of the Roe v. Wade ruling. However, the Court allowed for tighter limits on abortion, such as the need for counselling before the surgery and a 24-hour waiting period for the woman seeking the procedure.
Abortion opponents argue that the practise is immoral and should be outlawed. They believe that a foetus is a human life that should be protected, and that abortion is tantamount to murder. Advocates for abortion believe that a woman should be allowed to terminate a pregnancy for any reason, including physical or mental suffering. They argue that a woman's choice to have an abortion should be protected by her right to privacy. The rights of the woman versus the rights of the unborn are often used to frame the debate over abortion rights. However, there is also discussion about the government's role in controlling individual medical choices. Ultimately, the decision to have an abortion should be left up to the woman and her doctor, as it is a personal matter and not a government issue.
Unsafe abortion is a major public health concern in Nepal. According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), around 323,000 induced abortions were performed in Nepal in 2014, of which around 56% were considered unsafe. Unsafe abortions are those that are performed by untrained providers or in unhygienic conditions, leading to complications such as infections, hemorrhage, and even death.
The government of Nepal has taken several steps to increase access to safe and legal abortions. In 2002, the government legalized abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, and in 2004, it allowed trained nurses and midwives to provide abortion services. In 2009, the government further extended the legal limit for abortion up to 18 weeks of pregnancy. In addition, several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are working to increase awareness about safe abortion and provide access to safe abortion services.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain in ensuring access to safe and legal abortions for all women in Nepal. According to a study published in the Journal of Nepal Health Research Council in 2018, women in rural areas and those with lower levels of education are less likely to have access to safe abortion services. In addition, social stigma associated with abortion continues to be a barrier for many women, leading them to seek unsafe abortions or not seek abortion services at all.
In conclusion, abortion is a sensitive issue in Nepal, and access to safe and legal abortions remains a challenge for many women. The government of Nepal has taken steps to increase access to safe and legal abortions, but challenges remain in ensuring access for all women, particularly those in rural areas and those with lower levels of education. It is important to continue to raise awareness about safe abortion and address the social stigma associated with it to ensure that women have access to the services they need to make informed decisions about their reproductive health
Abortion carries many risks for the woman that not only put her life but also the life of the unborn child at risk during following pregnancies. Physical, psychological, and biological hazards are all present. It is unfortunate that many abortion cases, consequences, and even participants who engage in the practise illegally go unnoticed. There are also many misconceptions surrounding the practise of abortion, and it cannot be justified from a religious perspective.
In conclusion, abortion is a sensitive issue in Nepal, and access to safe and legal abortions remains a challenge for many women. The government of Nepal has taken steps to increase access to safe and legal abortions, but challenges remain in ensuring access for all women, particularly those in rural areas and those with lower levels of education. It is important to continue to raise awareness about safe abortion and address the social stigma associated with it to ensure that women have access to the services they need to make informed decisions about their reproductive health
