International Safe Abortion Day 2022: Despite Abortion Rights, Safe Abortions Privilege Thanks To Social Stigma
Ever since Roe v Wade was overturned by the United States Supreme Court, there has been a lot of talk about the abortion rights of women as well as their right to bodily autonomy. Indian too were breathing a sigh of relief that India hasn’t criminalised abortion and women have the right to abortion but truth be told, despite the rights women have, this one is still a grey area. Indian laws allow women to get an abortion but even then abortion continues to remain a privilege and not a right for women across the country. I know, you’re wondering how and why I say what I say. So, allow me to open this can of worms for y’all.
To begin with, India may have abortion rights but, abortion in itself is a HUGE taboo in India and is surrounded by myths that act as obstacles in the path of women who wish to get an abortion. Here’s a reality check, if you’re wondering what myths am I talking about and how do they act against women’s right to terminate a pregnancy, you’re probably a part of the privileged section of the society that has enough access to resources and information. Having said that, let’s take a deeper dive and understand how abortion myths uphold the taboo that abortion is.
Abortion Is Murder
This is the most common argument the supposed pro-lifers have against abortion but it is far from reality. The truth is that the embryo (or baby, as you’d like to call it) does not develop into a fetus until after the end of the second month of gestation. This means that during the first trimester, the “baby” is not really a baby but just a little embryo and cannot feel or think. Moreover, terminating a pregnancy during the second trimester also cannot be called murder because it hasn’t been born yet and to ignore the needs of an actual living being that has a whole life ahead of her and force her to have a baby because “it has a life and can feel” is not justified either. This argument or rather this myth discourages women from having abortions due to fear of having to live with the guilt. Moreover, women know that having an abortion would lead to social ostracization considering the stigma around it.
It’s Unsafe
It is often believed that abortions are unsafe and can lead to complications and affect a woman’s life and health but the truth is that abortions are not unsafe. In fact, it is one of the safest medical procedures and carries very little risk. But the common belief that it can lead to too much bleeding or cause infertility later in life, discourages women from undergoing abortions even when they are not mentally ready to have a child. The risk of infertility is usually touted to scare women into carrying a pregnancy to term.
Women Who Get Abortions Are Promiscuous
Excuse me, but no. It’s assumed that all women who chose to terminate an unwanted pregnancy are irresponsible and promiscuous. But that’s not true. It’s not just single women who undergo abortions. There are married women too who undergo abortions because they cannot afford to have a kid or aren’t ready for it. It’s also important to consider the fact that several women undergo abortions due to health-related issues and even fetal deformities or how their pregnancy may impact their mental health. Choosing not to have a child does not mean that a woman is irresponsible with sexual health or has multiple partners and even if she does, who are we to comment on it? But such behaviour and social stigma can discourage women from terminating a pregnancy and even push them to get an abortion secretly at home or in an unsafe manner. ABORTION DOES NOT MEAN THAT A WOMAN HAS A LOOSE CHARACTER.
Also Read: “Woman Can’t Be Denied Abortion Of Unwanted Pregnancy Because She’s Unmarried”, Says Supreme Court
Abortion Can Cause Mental Health Problems
Ideally, an abortion does not have any psychological impact on a woman or her mind but the social stigma and institutionalise belief that abortions are bad and the taboo around it can, of course, convince a woman that she hasn’t done the right thing by terminating a pregnancy and choosing her own life over that of an embryo. This can lead to a lot of stress and guilt. So, in reality, it’s the social stigma about abortion that can lead to mental health issues.
Are Safe Abortions A Myth?
Having said all those things, unsafe abortions are still a thing. Despite abortion rights, women in India turn to unsafe methods of terminating a pregnancy mainly due to the stigma and myths around it. This makes it tough for a woman to openly go out there and seek an abortion without being looked down upon. Moreover, we also need to consider the fact that despite having abortion rights, abortion continues to remain a privilege that only a small section of society has. I know what you’re thinking – what is that supposed to mean? So, the reality is that women from the lower strata and those from villages do not have the access to information or resources and when they step out to get an abortion and are told that they cannot get one for whatever reason, they simply accept their fate. More so, since they do not know the laws or their rights as well.
In cases of women who have already crossed the gestational limit for abortion, even if they have a legit reason to seek an abortion, they simply back off instead of fighting for their right to terminate the unwanted pregnancy due to lack of access to resources. Another thing to note is that neither do they have the kind of time, money and resources for it. On the other hand, the privileged women approach the court to seek permission to terminate a pregnancy since they know their rights and have the kind of money, time, awareness and luxury to seek an abortion while most other women simply turn to home remedies and unsafe methods to terminate their pregnancy.
Also Read: ‘House Of The Dragon’ Ep4 Leaves Fans Wondering How Westeros Has A Better Abortion Policy Than The United States
This is what makes the right to abortion and safe abortions a myth. Abortion rights and healthcare are only available to those who can afford them and not all women can afford them. This is also why it is extremely essential to make abortion a hassle-free process and easy to access for women from all walks of life.
