Comments - Abortion and maternal mortality - Breaking the Silence - Urgent Evoke2024-03-29T12:15:32Zhttp://www.urgentevoke.com/profiles/comment/feed?attachedTo=4871302%3ABlogPost%3A87257&xn_auth=noin the USA, there are many FA…tag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-13:4871302:Comment:917202010-04-13T20:59:43.421ZnomadHARhttp://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/nomadHAR
in the USA, there are many FAKE clinics run by Pro-Life people that advertise abortion services, then give FALSE medical information to pressure the women into not having an abortion. some of these FAKE clinics are even lying to women about their pregnancy. by the time the woman realizes that she is really pregnant, it will be too late.…
in the USA, there are many FAKE clinics run by Pro-Life people that advertise abortion services, then give FALSE medical information to pressure the women into not having an abortion. some of these FAKE clinics are even lying to women about their pregnancy. by the time the woman realizes that she is really pregnant, it will be too late.<br />
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<a href="http://womensrights.change.org/blog/view/video_taxpayer_dollars_so_fake_clinics_can_lie_and_push_religion" target="_blank">http://womensrights.change.org/blog/view/video_taxpayer_dollars_so_fake_clinics_can_lie_and_push_religion</a><br />
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it sounds like similar things are happening in some of your countries.<br />
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i do have some good news. my current city (Austin, Texas, USA) just passed a law that forces these FAKE clinics to post signs that reveal that these places have no information on birth control or abortion.<br />
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<a href="http://womensrights.change.org/blog/view/austin_tells_fake_clinics_to_reveal_anti-choice_stance_--_how_about_your_city" target="_blank">http://womensrights.change.org/blog/view/austin_tells_fake_clinics_to_reveal_anti-choice_stance_--_how_about_your_city</a> Similar to Yumna, my experien…tag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-13:4871302:Comment:908762010-04-13T01:58:25.336ZVictor Udoewahttp://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/VictorUdoewa
Similar to Yumna, my experience is in South Africa. I have worked as an HIV/AIDS counselor and crisis pregnancy counselor for a few years. Whether or not abortion is legalized or criminalized, I have never met a single mother who did not have some negative affect from abortion (whether emotional, psychological, physical, etc.). It's a hard hard thing to do even if you do not want the baby.<br />
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In South Africa, as Yumna says, it's legal up to a certain point (3 months) and requires special reasons…
Similar to Yumna, my experience is in South Africa. I have worked as an HIV/AIDS counselor and crisis pregnancy counselor for a few years. Whether or not abortion is legalized or criminalized, I have never met a single mother who did not have some negative affect from abortion (whether emotional, psychological, physical, etc.). It's a hard hard thing to do even if you do not want the baby.<br />
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In South Africa, as Yumna says, it's legal up to a certain point (3 months) and requires special reasons to be done legally afterward. Many countries have a time-line for when it is legal and conditions for when it is not legal. Therefore it is more appropriate to speak of the conditions for legal abortion for those countries.<br />
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Religiously I'm a Christian, but I don't insist on legislating my Christian morality. I believe in waiting for marriage, but I think we need to educate our children on proper contraceptives. It's similar to driving. I tell little children they should NOT get behind the wheel until they are old enough, but if they were ever to do it, it is important to always where a seat belt. We could use the same philosophy with sex education. Even though you preach abstinence you also teach contraceptives. Abstinence alone doesn't seem to work (though some say it does).<br />
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The problem described here seems to require social engineering--solutions that affect behavioral change. This can often be harder than just a technological innovation. Well, abortion remains an abo…tag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-12:4871302:Comment:896002010-04-12T07:07:15.593ZSsozi Javiehttp://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/SsoziJavie
Well, abortion remains an abomination and illegal in Uganda. Many girls and women still abort "unwanted pregnancies" secretly. Many dont seek professional assistance because of fear for prosecution.<br />
The situation here in Uganda is not any different from the one agent Shakwei describes in her post. It remains a big shame that girl and women are not sensitized on how to avoid unwanted pregnancies.<br />
Thank you for sharing this post I think this is one of the areas where we need to do a lot advocacy.
Well, abortion remains an abomination and illegal in Uganda. Many girls and women still abort "unwanted pregnancies" secretly. Many dont seek professional assistance because of fear for prosecution.<br />
The situation here in Uganda is not any different from the one agent Shakwei describes in her post. It remains a big shame that girl and women are not sensitized on how to avoid unwanted pregnancies.<br />
Thank you for sharing this post I think this is one of the areas where we need to do a lot advocacy. That is great news Yumna, and…tag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-11:4871302:Comment:892042010-04-11T20:47:55.265ZEdwige Lelievrehttp://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/EdwigeLelievre
That is great news Yumna, and your braviour is impressive. Thanks a lot !<br />
I hope such law can be voted in Kenya and that there will be doctors there as brave as you are.<br />
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@ Oliver : Totally agree with you !
That is great news Yumna, and your braviour is impressive. Thanks a lot !<br />
I hope such law can be voted in Kenya and that there will be doctors there as brave as you are.<br />
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@ Oliver : Totally agree with you ! Abortions are legal in South…tag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-11:4871302:Comment:890892010-04-11T18:48:41.476ZYumna Moosahttp://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/YumnaMoosa
Abortions are legal in South Africa. Up until 3 months, a woman can have her pregnancy terminated on request. Under special circumstances (including rape, incest, poverty, etc.), it can be terminated between 3 and 5 months, and after 5 months only if there is serious risk to mother or baby.<br />
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When the new laws came in (in the mid-90s I think), maternal deaths due to unsafe abortions plummeted. But they are once again on the rise. The reason?<br />
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Our wonderful Constitution, that so carefully…
Abortions are legal in South Africa. Up until 3 months, a woman can have her pregnancy terminated on request. Under special circumstances (including rape, incest, poverty, etc.), it can be terminated between 3 and 5 months, and after 5 months only if there is serious risk to mother or baby.<br />
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When the new laws came in (in the mid-90s I think), maternal deaths due to unsafe abortions plummeted. But they are once again on the rise. The reason?<br />
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Our wonderful Constitution, that so carefully protects our human rights, protects the health care worker's right NOT to perform a termination of pregnancy. The mother's right to access to safe abortions is up against the doctor or midwife's right to freedom of belief. However, they are legally bound to refer to a safe abortion practitioner.<br />
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And the majority of my medical school class at the University of Cape Town refuse to perform abortions. It is scary. My plan: at graduation, pass around a list of names and contact details of the people in our class who WILL perform abortions. At least this way there's no excuse not to refer... ;) Great article, Agent Shakwei.…tag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-11:4871302:Comment:890622010-04-11T18:21:02.678ZOliver Hohlsteinhttp://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/OliverHohlstein
Great article, Agent Shakwei.<br />
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In Germany, as far as I know, abortion is legal in the first three month of pregnancy. After that, it is only legal if special conditions are given (e.g. if the pregnancy is the result of a rape or if the birth would endanger the mother's life). There are maybe some groups who disagree with this law, but they are not as loud as maybe in the USA.<br />
The current system in Kenya as you have described it, seems somehow hypocritical to me. Young people are left alone when…
Great article, Agent Shakwei.<br />
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In Germany, as far as I know, abortion is legal in the first three month of pregnancy. After that, it is only legal if special conditions are given (e.g. if the pregnancy is the result of a rape or if the birth would endanger the mother's life). There are maybe some groups who disagree with this law, but they are not as loud as maybe in the USA.<br />
The current system in Kenya as you have described it, seems somehow hypocritical to me. Young people are left alone when it comes to sex and then they are doomed if they get pregnant.<br />
Personally, I consider myself a christian, though I still would support a pro-choice attitude in this area.<br />
Maybe if the culture could provide excellent care for children to mothers who couldn't raise the child herself and if young mothers would get constant medical care during pregnancy, maybe I would reconsider my choice. I can see the "christian" point in not wanting to destroy any kind of human life ... the three month time in the German law seems a bit arbitrary (is the unborn child alive after three month and one day when it was not alive the day before?)... but the life must still be lived. If Kenya really wants abortion to be illegal, it should provide better education and better care for unwanted mothers.<br />
The worst thing I can imagine is a mother who is forced to raise a child she doesn't want. A hell for both the mother and the child. :( Thank you all very much for y…tag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-11:4871302:Comment:885412010-04-11T06:22:39.652ZShakwei Mbindyohttp://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/ShakweiMbindyo
Thank you all very much for your feekback.<br />
@nomadHAR Kenya is predominantly christian and there is very aggressive resistance to legalizing abortion. Aside from religion, culture is also an issue. Many parents do not speak with their children about sex. Traditionally this was a task for aunties but with the steady disintergration of family and cultural structures, many girls receive sex education from friends. One fear is the providing information / condoms to the youth is like telling them…
Thank you all very much for your feekback.<br />
@nomadHAR Kenya is predominantly christian and there is very aggressive resistance to legalizing abortion. Aside from religion, culture is also an issue. Many parents do not speak with their children about sex. Traditionally this was a task for aunties but with the steady disintergration of family and cultural structures, many girls receive sex education from friends. One fear is the providing information / condoms to the youth is like telling them that it is ok to have sex.<br />
@Michele / @Cynawynn - a question that many Kenyans are asking is who will speak for the unborn child? Many equate abortion with murder.<br />
@Francis, as @Edwige has indicated, legalizing abortion means that anyone can procure one as they wish. I believe in most (all?) countries there is a speification on how many months along you are which doctors will not (should not) provide abortion services. @nomadHAR We're fighting agai…tag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-10:4871302:Comment:880102010-04-10T19:10:15.673ZCynawynnhttp://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/Cynawynn
@nomadHAR We're fighting against that law<br />
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I have often wondered how the anti-abortion crowd gets away with calling themselves pro-life as if anyone who disagrees with them is anti-life. I wish they were as concerned about the life of the mother. And sadly they also tend to be the same people who vote against any measure intended to improve pre-natal care, early childhood development of health care for all children.<br />
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Changing the definitions and assumptions of the for and against groups seems…
@nomadHAR We're fighting against that law<br />
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I have often wondered how the anti-abortion crowd gets away with calling themselves pro-life as if anyone who disagrees with them is anti-life. I wish they were as concerned about the life of the mother. And sadly they also tend to be the same people who vote against any measure intended to improve pre-natal care, early childhood development of health care for all children.<br />
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Changing the definitions and assumptions of the for and against groups seems to be one place to start in any country. is it rational to think that…tag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-10:4871302:Comment:878642010-04-10T17:41:20.819ZnomadHARhttp://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/nomadHAR
is it rational to think that women get abortions just for fun? that women would just go out and get abortions all the time if it is legal? of course not. those are the same kinds of faulty fears and beliefs that i keep hearing from bogus conservative PROPAGANDA. there are men out there that are absolutely terrified of the thought of women having rights, so they spread LIES that cause people to go against legalizing abortion.<br />
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it is a harrowing and painful procedure, as far as i know. i wish for…
is it rational to think that women get abortions just for fun? that women would just go out and get abortions all the time if it is legal? of course not. those are the same kinds of faulty fears and beliefs that i keep hearing from bogus conservative PROPAGANDA. there are men out there that are absolutely terrified of the thought of women having rights, so they spread LIES that cause people to go against legalizing abortion.<br />
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it is a harrowing and painful procedure, as far as i know. i wish for the procedure to be as safe as possible, as it has been shown time and time again that desperate women will resort to dangerous and sometimes deadly methods. this safety is only assured when the procedure is legal. In France, abortion is a righ…tag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-10:4871302:Comment:878192010-04-10T17:12:31.829ZEdwige Lelievrehttp://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/EdwigeLelievre
In France, abortion is a right for women since quite a long time, and it is relatively easy to access. It has been a really tough time when the law was voted (like in the USA right now), but now it is just normal for the majority of the population that this right exists. It doesn't mean everyone should abort or have sex without thinking of consequences. It just means, when there is no other choice, you can do it safely.<br />
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Even if medically, abortion is safe in France now, it is still really hard…
In France, abortion is a right for women since quite a long time, and it is relatively easy to access. It has been a really tough time when the law was voted (like in the USA right now), but now it is just normal for the majority of the population that this right exists. It doesn't mean everyone should abort or have sex without thinking of consequences. It just means, when there is no other choice, you can do it safely.<br />
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Even if medically, abortion is safe in France now, it is still really hard to deal with (painful both physically and emotionally) and it should be avoided as much as possible. Actually I don't really think any women in the world was ever happy to do that, it was just the less worst solution.<br />
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It is really important to teach as soon as possible contraception to children, boys and girls, and to give an easy access to it to avoid undesired pregnancy and abortion.<br />
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More generally, I think it is important for women to have the choice of having child, and when to have them. France has the highest natality rate in Europe, so the possibility to abort safely and to access contraception is certainly just a better things for families. For instance, in Poland or Spain where abortion is illegal or very hard to access, the natality rate is much lower !<br />
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I insist on the fact that sometimes, there must be a political will to change things even if the people disagree, if it is for greater good. European construction, for instance, was not something French and German people would have agree to in 1952. But it was a real good thing that stops the cycle of war in West Europe.<br />
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So I really hope politicians of the all world to be brave about contraception and abortion ! There are just too many death !