Parliament Must Join the Courts in Ensuring Women’s Right to Safe Abortions

In July 2016, the media in India was flooded with news about a subject most people shy away from – everyone in the country was suddenly talking about women’s right to safe abortion services. This year, once again we are having detailed discussions and seeing public analysis on women’s bodily autonomy and their access to comprehensive abortion care. In the intervening period, the Supreme Court and high courts have dealt with a series of appeals from young women seeking relief for termination of pregnancies beyond 20 weeks of gestation, both on grounds of rape as well as in cases of diagnosed foetal abnormalities incompatible with life. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed amendments to the MTP Act after extensive consultations initiated way back in 2006, grounded on the principles of women’s rights.