those who support it and those who oppose it. Another consequence comes from how the aggressive war on drugs the world over has only seen innovation in illicit drug production, trade and distribution. Most psychotropic drugs are illegal in Vietnam, with a death penalty on being caught. But drugs are still sold on the streets of Hanoi.
Abortions are prohibited altogether in 19 countries, allowed on social or economic grounds in 12, to save a mother’s life in 37, to preserve health in 44 and, available on request in 73 . Across the world, women’s reproductive rights remain policed albeit in varying degrees. And guess what? Abortions continue to happen.
Rather than debate the morality and religiosity of abortions which I have no intention to do, I would rather consider the following questions, “Why prioritise the life of a foetus that cannot exist independent of a host over the life of a living, independent human?” “How many people are willing to take charge over raising a child who is born unwanted by its parent?”.
Apart from Poland, El Salvador, Nicaragua and now the United States, decisions on the reproductive rights of women have been expansionary in nature. In Colombia, Ireland, Argentina, Mexico, Kenya and the Benin Republic, women saw their rights and access to abortions expand and for many whose rights didn’t, it brought renewed hope and signalled the possibility of change.