fbpx
No Result
View All Result
AllAboutEve

English हिन्दी Shop Podcast Contact

No Result
View All Result
  • Love & Life
    • Parenting
    • Sex & Wellness
    • Relationships
    • Astrology & Horoscope
    • Life Tips & Advice
  • Beauty & Care
    • Skincare
    • Hair Care
    • Body Care
    • Makeup
  • Health & Fitness
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy
    • Fitness & Nutrition
    • Home Remedies
  • Shopping & Gifting
    • Gifts For Her
    • Gifts For Him
    • Accessories
    • Attire
    • Festive Gifting
  • Fashion
    • Latest Trends
    • Indian Wear
    • Style Guide
    • Celeb Style
    • Fashion Shows
  • Weddings
    • Wedding Fashion
    • Wedding Planning & Decor
    • Makeup Tips & Artists
    • Wedding Photography
    • Wedding Jewellery
    • Tips & Advice
  • Food & Recipes
    • Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Cuisines
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • TV Shows
    • Web Series
    • Books & Events
  • MORE
    • Travel
    • Eve Highlights
    • Quizzes
  • Love & Life
    • Parenting
    • Sex & Wellness
    • Relationships
    • Astrology & Horoscope
    • Life Tips & Advice
  • Beauty & Care
    • Skincare
    • Hair Care
    • Body Care
    • Makeup
  • Health & Fitness
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy
    • Fitness & Nutrition
    • Home Remedies
  • Shopping & Gifting
    • Gifts For Her
    • Gifts For Him
    • Accessories
    • Attire
    • Festive Gifting
  • Fashion
    • Latest Trends
    • Indian Wear
    • Style Guide
    • Celeb Style
    • Fashion Shows
  • Weddings
    • Wedding Fashion
    • Wedding Planning & Decor
    • Makeup Tips & Artists
    • Wedding Photography
    • Wedding Jewellery
    • Tips & Advice
  • Food & Recipes
    • Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Cuisines
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • TV Shows
    • Web Series
    • Books & Events
  • MORE
    • Travel
    • Eve Highlights
    • Quizzes
No Result
View All Result

English हिन्दी Shop Podcast Contact

AllAboutEve
No Result
View All Result
Home Health & Fitness

Abortion In India: The Good, The Bad, And Everything You Need To Know

Sukhmani Waraich by Sukhmani Waraich
June 27, 2022
7 min read
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Whatsapp

Abortion. Sounds like a dirty word, right? Something that should be a cause of shame for women? An act that should be illegal in sanskaari India? Well, it isn’t. Abortion is, without a doubt, legal in India and every woman has the right to access safe abortions in the country. For some of you, this will sound shocking and you’re probably going to Google it at this point because it sounds like something I’ve made up. Go ahead. For those of you who are rejoicing about India’s progressive laws and freedom for women, stop. Just because abortion is legal in India doesn’t mean that all women get to exercise their right to terminate a pregnancy.

Here’s everything you should know, regardless of your gender, about abortion in India.

What The Law Says About Abortion In India

Under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act 1971, a woman can get an abortion under various circumstances including choice. The Act was amended twice in the 21st century to ensure safe and accessible abortions for women. But the right to abortion is not unconditional in India.

According to the law, a pregnancy may be terminated by a registered medical practitioner if the length of the pregnancy does not exceed 12 weeks. Legally, in pregnancies not exceeding 12 weeks of gestation, a woman has to just ask for an abortion and she should get it regardless of the circumstances in which she got pregnant or the health of the foetus or the woman. If the length of the pregnancy exceeds 12 weeks, abortions are allowed if:

  • The continuance of the pregnancy would involve a risk to the life of the pregnant woman or of grave injury to her physical or mental health; or
  • There is a substantial risk that if the child were born, it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities to be seriously handicapped.

The law also states that if any pregnancy occurs as a result of the failure of contraception, the anguish caused by such unwanted pregnancy may be presumed to constitute a grave injury to the mental health of the pregnant woman.

Here are some of the key amendments made to the MTP Act in 2021:

  • The upper gestation limit of 20 weeks was raised to 24 weeks for survivors of rape and incest and other vulnerable categories like those who are physically or mentally differently-abled, minors, and those whose marital status changed during the pregnancy (divorce or widowhood).
  • The requirement of one medical practitioner, as opposed to two earlier, for the termination of a pregnancy up to 20 weeks of gestation. To terminate a pregnancy between 20-24 weeks, the opinion of two doctors is required.
  • If a woman asks for abortion beyond 24 weeks of pregnancy, the approval of a medical board is required. This board needs to comprise a gynaecologist, a paediatrician, and a radiologist.
  • The name and other particulars of a woman who has undergone a medical termination of pregnancy must be kept confidential except from a person authorised by law.

Under Indian law, women who want an abortion and meet the medical approvals for the procedure do not need a husband’s approval. This means that a woman’s marital status has no role to play if she wants an abortion.

The law also says that an abortion cannot be performed without the consent of the pregnant woman. Under Section 312 of the Indian Penal Code, anyone who causes a woman to miscarry will be jailed. This section also states that it is illegal for a woman to cause herself to miscarry. So, if you do want an abortion, you cannot buy over-the-counter medication for it. You will have to go through a medical practitioner trained in gynaecology and obstetrics but they cannot deny an abortion if you meet the legal requirements. And no, being married is not one of these requirements.

abortion in india
Image Source

The Problems Around Abortion In India

Now, the law sounds great and completely in favour of women. And it is. But making a law has never been enough. We just don’t talk about it. Sex is such a taboo topic that something like abortion has never made it to mainstream discussions in India. We love to talk about it when we look good in comparison but not otherwise.

Similar to Roe v Wade, the last time abortion laws in India were so widely talked about was when Indian-origin dentist Savita Halappanavar lost her life due to Ireland’s restrictive abortion laws. For the uninitiated, 31-year-old Savita Halappanavar died in 2012 due to sepsis when the hospital in Galway, Ireland refused to perform an abortion on legal grounds. This case triggered outrage across the world, caused a change in Ireland’s laws, and brought abortion laws into focus. Even a decade ago, there were collective sighs of relief that this won’t happen to women in India. That is hardly true. Every day, women in India lose their lives due to a lack of appropriate pre and post-natal care.

There are a lot of problems that stand in the way of true reproductive freedom in India. Here are a few:

The inaccessibility to healthcare, especially for women

Access to safe and legal abortions is imperative and the most lacking in India. In a country where basic healthcare is still not available to every citizen and where women are often pushed to the background, safe abortions are a luxury. In areas where hospitals are a rarity, women who need the approval of a medical board to terminate need to travel to the nearest city to present their case. And if the board does not approve termination, they have to use more resources, both financial and otherwise, to take the issue to court. This costs both precious time and money for people who are already dealing with a medical emergency.

An alarming shortage of doctors

As mentioned earlier, a medical board, in cases of abortion after 24 weeks, needs to include a gynaecologist, paediatrician, and radiologist. India is facing an alarming shortage of gynaecologists which makes it clear how difficult it is for women in non-tier 1 cities to find such boards. According to Rural Health Statistics 2021, there is a 70 per cent shortage of OB-GYNs across India and a 78 per cent shortage of paediatricians.

Shame, secrecy, and judgement

A direct consequence of not talking about abortion is stigma. The judgement that women face from gynaecologists is great for meme content, but it has a serious effect on women who need an abortion, even in urban India. When you’re already going through a physically and mentally difficult period in your life, the last thing you need is a judgemental doctor. All of the secrecy around it also means that when a woman does get an abortion, most of the time, her family doesn’t know about it. At a time when she should be looked after and resting, she has to carry on with her life as if nothing happened.

Image Source

Lack of sex education and autonomy of women

The crippling disregard for sex education in India is not new. Neither is the denial of autonomy to women. Yes, we have the law on our side but there are far too many women in India who are taught to be submissive to the men in their lives. So, if the husband doesn’t approve of it, many women shy away from abortions even if they don’t want to have a baby.

Women are still used as baby-making machines to produce a male heir. In these cases, the legal right to abortion is used as a weapon against women and they are often coerced into aborting female foetuses. While sex determination is illegal in India, we all know there are hundreds of unscrupulous medical providers who oblige when the family offers a cash reward to know the sex of the unborn child. And don’t think for a second that I’m talking about rural India only here. 

Another way in which bodily autonomy is routinely taken away from women is when doctors don’t believe women who say they don’t want children. A woman can carry on and on about not wanting kids but her gynaecologist will almost always refuse to give her permanent or long-term solutions for birth control.

Misinformation on the legality of abortions in India

Ask the people around you and it is most likely that you will come across someone who thinks abortion is illegal in India. Because no one talks about it! Women’s reproductive rights are not electoral issues here, and in a country obsessed with politics, we tend to push everything else aside except the issues that our politicians want to use for votes.

There are so many other misconceptions around abortion in India like a married woman needing her husband’s approval in all cases of abortion, which is not true. A woman does not need anyone’s consent, other than her own and a medical practitioner’s approval in certain cases, to terminate a pregnancy.

It is also commonly believed that abortions harm the future fertility of a woman which is also unfounded. Having an abortion will have no effect on any future pregnancies. The only way in which an abortion might affect your fertility is if the procedure is botched and causes an infection in the uterus. The chance of this happening is very small if the abortion is performed by a certified medical practitioner in a hospital or designated clinic.

The limited language of the law

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act 1971 and its amendments do not mention transgender people and people with uteruses who do not identify as women. This lack of acknowledgement makes it even more difficult for trans people to access safe abortions.

So, instead of rejoicing in our relative freedom where abortions are concerned, let’s be more aware of where we still fall short and what needs to be done to make true reproductive freedom a reality in India.

Featured Image Source

Related: Everything You Need To Know About Freezing Your Eggs

 

Rate this post
Tags: abortionabortion in Indiaabortion laws in Indiais abortion legal in Indiamedical termination of pregnancyMTP

What’s your reaction?

love
0
sad
0
happy
0
sleepy
0
angry
0
dead
0
wink
0
Previous Post

Your Horoscope For June 27-July 3: Relationships, Work, Life, And Everything In Between

Next Post

Lean PCOS: Symptoms, Treatment, And Everything Else You Need To Know

Sukhmani Waraich

Sukhmani Waraich

Sukhmani found her calling when she lost more than a few friendships to her grammar nerd ways. She's a vehement feminist, admires people who work out regularly (can't imagine doing it herself), and has put her globetrotting on hold to earn a few bucks.

Related Posts

Love, Acceptance, And Chill: How Freezing My Eggs Literally Changed My Life
Health & Fitness

Love, Acceptance, And Chill: How Freezing My Eggs Literally Changed My Life

1 week ago
8 Things You Should Eat And Drink To Ease Period Pain
Health & Fitness

8 Things You Should Eat And Drink To Ease Period Pain

2 weeks ago
maate babycare brand india
Health & Fitness

Looking For All-Natural, Vegan Baby & Mom Products? Priyanka And Suresh Raina’s Maate Is What You Need

4 weeks ago
HPV Vaccine: All You Need To Know About This Life-Saving Vaccine
Health & Fitness

HPV Vaccine: All You Need To Know About This Life-Saving Vaccine

1 month ago
Next Post
Lean PCOS: Symptoms, Treatment, And Everything Else You Need To Know

Lean PCOS: Symptoms, Treatment, And Everything Else You Need To Know

Leave a Comment

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

No Result
View All Result

CATEGORIES

  • Quizzes (123)
    • Bollywood (54)
    • Trivia (19)
  • Pop Culture (14)
  • Food & Travel (15)
  • Eve Highlights (404)
    • Trending (249)
    • Work & Finance (27)
    • Home Decor (56)
      • Look Book (4)
      • Home Improvement (31)
      • Accents and furnishings (23)
    • What's New (2)
  • Travel (99)
    • City Guide (50)
    • Holiday Destinations (24)
    • Weekend Travel (9)
    • Expert Tips & Advice (24)
  • Fashion (113)
    • Latest Trends (8)
    • Indian Wear (22)
    • Style Guide (14)
    • Celeb Style (56)
    • Fashion Shows (26)
  • Health & Fitness (183)
    • Mental Health (19)
    • Pregnancy (12)
    • Wellbeing (40)
    • Fitness & Nutrition (81)
    • Home Remedies (11)
  • Beauty & Self Care (163)
    • Skincare (71)
    • Hair Care (38)
    • Body Care (28)
    • Makeup (37)
  • Love & Lifestyle (403)
    • Parenting (18)
    • Sex & Wellness (61)
    • Relationships (107)
    • Astrology & Horoscope (179)
    • Life Tips & Advice (71)
  • Shopping & Gifting (164)
    • Gifts For Her (28)
    • Gifts For Him (18)
    • Accessories (11)
    • Attire (10)
    • Festive Gifting (26)
  • Weddings (167)
    • Wedding Fashion (67)
    • Wedding Planning & Decor (12)
    • Makeup Tips & Artists (9)
    • Wedding Photography (5)
    • Wedding Jewellery (18)
    • Tips & Advice (41)
    • Destination Weddings (6)
    • Tips & Advice (26)
    • Bridesmaid & Others (10)
    • Bridal Trousseau (32)
    • Jewellery (16)
  • SHOPPING (75)
    • Shopping guide (61)
    • Shop smart (12)
  • Beauty (76)
    • Makeup (13)
    • Skincare (37)
    • Bodycare (9)
    • Haircare (21)
  • Food & Recipes (151)
    • Healthy Recipes (41)
    • Desserts (21)
    • Recipes (96)
    • Drinks (25)
    • Cuisines (15)
  • Food & Recipes (70)
    • What's New (20)
    • Healthy Eats (26)
    • Sweet Tooth (7)
    • Power Breakfast (5)
    • Old School Eats (7)
    • One-pot recipes (1)
  • Culture & Entertainment (825)
    • Movies (344)
    • TV Shows (27)
    • Web Series (108)
    • Books & Events (70)
    • Ease your life (37)
    • Humour (45)
    • Trending (117)
    • Movies (89)
    • Inspiration (43)
    • Try This (91)
  • Travel (52)
    • Long Weekend (8)
    • Activities & Things to do (13)
    • India Travel (14)
    • Bookmark for bucketlist (11)
    • Travel Hacks (9)
  • Women's Health (50)
    • Well being (29)
    • Mental Health (11)
    • Feminine Health & Hygiene (12)
  • Working Moms (38)
    • Kid- friendly (5)
    • Work Smart in the Kitchen (8)
    • Work Smart at Home (24)
  • Career & Investment (40)
    • Career Growth (17)
    • Productivity (10)
    • Investment Cheat Sheet (13)
  • Fitness (48)
    • Alternative Fitness (16)
    • Fitspiration (22)
    • Detox (10)
  • Gifting (32)
    • Gifts For Her (9)
    • Festive Gifting (12)
    • Wedding Gifting (6)
    • Gifts For Him (7)

RECENT

Bloody Daddy Review: It’s Bloody, Bland And Predictable, But The Performances Shine

Bloody Daddy Review: It’s Bloody, Bland And Predictable, But The Performances Shine

June 9, 2023
staycation spots near delhi ncr

Need A Break? Check Out These Staycation Spots Around Delhi NCR

June 9, 2023
aunty eve cards

Birthday, Breakup, Or Bidaai: Aunty Eve Has Created The Funniest Cards For Your BFF

June 7, 2023

More To Read

Bloody Daddy Review: It’s Bloody, Bland And Predictable, But The Performances Shine
Culture & Entertainment

Bloody Daddy Review: It’s Bloody, Bland And Predictable, But The Performances Shine

June 9, 2023
staycation spots near delhi ncr
Holiday Destinations

Need A Break? Check Out These Staycation Spots Around Delhi NCR

June 9, 2023
aunty eve cards
Gifts For Her

Birthday, Breakup, Or Bidaai: Aunty Eve Has Created The Funniest Cards For Your BFF

June 7, 2023
why is pride month celebrated
Eve Highlights

Why Is Pride Month Celebrated? Here’s A Quick Lesson On LGBTQIA+ History

June 7, 2023
signs of a toxic friendship
Love & Lifestyle

Is Your Bestie A Walking Red Flag? 8 Signs You’re In A Toxic Friendship

June 7, 2023
hobbies for kids
Love & Lifestyle

Hobbies For Summer Vacation: 6 Activities To Hone Your Child’s Life Skills

June 7, 2023
horoscope for june 5-11
Astrology & Horoscope

Your Horoscope For June 5-11: What The Universe Is Brewing For You This Week

June 5, 2023
school of lies
Culture & Entertainment

School Of Lies Review: A Stark Portrayal Of The Dark And Lonely Life Of Children

June 2, 2023
zara hatke zara bachke review
Culture & Entertainment

Zara Hatke Zara Bachke Review: Nothing Really Hatke, Best To Stay Bachke From This Film

June 2, 2023
Load More
AllAboutEve

We curate products, ideas and recommendations to make life easier for women who are too busy conquering the world.

Popular Categories

  • Love & Lifestyle
  • Beauty & Self Care
  • Shopping & Gifting
  • Weddings
  • Health & Fitness
  • Food & Recipes
  • Fashion
  • Entertainment

Newsletter

Hey there,

Stay updated on all our latest content!

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter for the latest in entertainment, opinions, lifestyle, and so much more.

Open
Feeling not okay is also okay. Accepting, embracing and existing.
Illustration by @sasa_elebea
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#illustrations #women #moodswings #mentalhealth #selflove #AllAboutEve
Open
Poori baat batani chahiye!
By Thakurrainn via Twitter
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#twittermemes #memesdaily #instamemes #relatable #twitterdaily #tweets #AllAboutEve
Open
Reema Kagti, a well-known writer and filmmaker in her own right, has always had the ability to craft stories about the everyday man or woman that explore their deepest emotions and vulnerabilities. With the support of co-director Ruchika Oberoi, the team's most recent thriller series, "Dahaad," finds an unlikely hero in Sonakshi Sinha who is featured as Anjali Bhaati. Read our review to know more about Dahaad.

Check out the review by tapping on the link in bio > IG Blogs > Corresponding image.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 
.
.
.
#review #Bollywoodreview #reviews #webseries #vijayvarma #amazonprime #bolly #Dahaad #sonakshisinha #reemakagti #ruchikaoberoi #gulshandevaiah #sohumshah, #zoamorani #AllAboutEve
Open
Meghalaya's capital city, Shillong is renowned for its gushing waterfalls, thrilling mountain peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and lush vegetation. Here are a few of Shillong's most unique spots to visit. -@abookaholicarts, Features Writer

Check out the article by tapping on the link in bio > IG Blogs > Corresponding image.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 
.
.
.
#shillong #scotlandoftheeast #mountainpeaks #lakes #nature #beauty #forests #shillongpeak #AllAboutEve
Open
Who is your favourite?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#bollywood #bollywoodactress #bollywoodcelebrities #actor #Bollywood #suhanakhan #gaurikhan #neenagupta #masabagupta #kajol #nysadevgan #poojabedi #alayaf #bhavanapandey #ananyapandey #neetukapoor #riddhimakapoorsahni #maheepkapoor #shanayakapoor #AllAboutEve
Open
Hold onto your umbrella!
Illustration by @lizandmollie
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#illustration #illustrationdaily #illustrationart #positivity #healthyboundaries #optimism #patriarchy #AllAboutEve
Open
Shh... Itn sach bhi nahi kehna tha!
By Kadaipaneeeer via Twitter
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#tweet #funnytweets #twittermemes #relatable #influencer #zomato #swiggy #AllAboutEve
Open
Dheere dheere, sab samajh aa raha hai... tumhe aa raha hai?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#bollywoodmemes #bollywood #bollywoodpost #memes #funny #AllAboutEve
Open
Tell us in the comments down below!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#quiz #bollywoodquiz #bollywoodgames #bollywood #trending #gamesoninstagram #AllAboutEve
Open
I am not here to be liked, I'm here to be respected.
I am a powerful woman and I am not sorry for it.
Illustration by @thecutefeminist
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#illustration #illustrationdaily #feminism #women #sexism #misogyny #AllAboutEve
Open
Kya ye dhokha hai?
By justscribblingg via Twitter
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#twittermemes #memesdaily #instamemes #tweets #twitterthread #funny #sarcastic #instagramposts  #AllAboutEve
Open
Save this post to know about the stages in the most common method of childbirth.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#illustrations #vaginalbirth #commonmethod #childbirth #labourpain #contractions #women #bleeding #newborn #birthcanal #AllAboutEve
Open
A yeast infection can affect any woman due to the anatomy of the female body, but by making few small lifestyle adjustments, you can lower your risk of getting one in the first place.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#sexualwellness #sexualhygiene #infections #sexualinfection #hygiene #yeastinfection #precautions #lifestyle #diet #AllAboutEve
Open
On point! 
Illustration by @ayushkalra
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#illustration #illustrationdaily #illustrationart #feminism #opinion #desiart #indianwoman #AllAboutEve
Open
Anti-Hero vibes aa rahi hai!
By hajarkagalwa via Twitter
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#twitter #twittermemes #memesdaily #instamemes #twitterthread #tweets #funny #sarcastic #AllAboutEve
Open
How many different types of knives do you own? Chances are, you've got a few knives in your kitchen drawer. But do you know the proper way to use each one?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#knives #knifecollection #knifecommunity #chef #knifelover #AllAboutEve

© 2022 Copyright . All About Eve | About Us | Sitemap

No Result
View All Result
  • Love & Life
    • Parenting
    • Sex & Wellness
    • Relationships
    • Astrology & Horoscope
    • Life Tips & Advice
  • Beauty & Care
    • Skincare
    • Hair Care
    • Body Care
    • Makeup
  • Health & Fitness
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy
    • Fitness & Nutrition
    • Home Remedies
  • Shopping & Gifting
    • Gifts For Her
    • Gifts For Him
    • Accessories
    • Attire
    • Festive Gifting
  • Fashion
    • Latest Trends
    • Indian Wear
    • Style Guide
    • Celeb Style
    • Fashion Shows
  • Weddings
    • Wedding Fashion
    • Wedding Planning & Decor
    • Makeup Tips & Artists
    • Wedding Photography
    • Wedding Jewellery
    • Tips & Advice
  • Food & Recipes
    • Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Cuisines
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • TV Shows
    • Web Series
    • Books & Events
  • MORE
    • Travel
    • Eve Highlights
    • Quizzes

© 2022 Copyright . All About Eve | About Us | Sitemap

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.

Hey there,

We're thrilled to see you here!

Subscribe to the All About Eve Newsletter for the latest in entertainment, fashion, weddings, home tips, travel, and much more.

Invalid email address
No, thanks. I'm good
Thanks for subscribing! Please check your email for more.