Background
Although sexual and
reproductive health services have become more available in humanitarian
settings over the last decade, safe abortion services are still rarely
provided. The authors’ observations suggest that four reasons are typically
given for this gap: ‘There’s no need’; ‘Abortion is too complicated to provide
in crises’; ‘Donors don’t fund abortion services’; and ‘Abortion is illegal’.
Discussion
However, each of these
reasons is based on false premises. Unsafe abortion is a major cause of
maternal mortality globally, and the collapse of health systems in crises
suggests it likely increases in humanitarian settings. Abortion procedures can
be safely performed in health centers by mid-level providers without
sophisticated equipment or supplies. Although US government aid does not fund
abortion-related activities, other donors, including many European governments,
do fund abortion services. In most countries, covering 99 % of the world’s
population, abortion is permitted under some circumstances; it is illegal
without exception in only six countries. International law supports improved
access to safe abortion.
Summary
As none of the reasons
often cited for not providing these services is valid, it is the responsibility
of humanitarian NGOs to decide where they stand regarding their commitment to
humanitarian standards and women’s right to high quality and non-discriminatory
health services. Providing safe abortion to women who become pregnant as a
result of rape in war may be a more comfortable place for organizations to
begin the discussion. Making safe abortion available will improve women’s
health and human rights and save lives.
Full article at: http://goo.gl/fiLtJh
By: 
Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 60 Haven Ave, New York, NY 10032 USA
More at: https://twitter.com/hiv insight
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