Abortion rates unchanged regardless of the law

In countries where abortion is illegal, the abortion rate is equal to those countries that allow the procedure. On Oct. 13, the Lancet medical journal shattered the right-wing myth that legalized abortion encourages more women to take on the procedure.

Beth Fredrick of the International Women’s Health Coalition in the United States affirmed the basic findings of the

study. “The legal status of abortion has never dissuaded women and couples, who, for whatever reason, seek to end pregnancy,” Fredrick said.

Although the overall abortion rate—around one in every five pregnancies—is the same in countries where the procedure is illegal, the Lancet reported that women in those countries suffer much higher rates of abortion-related fatalities and health complications. About 70,000 women die every year from unsafe abortions, accounting for 13 percent of deaths during pregnancy and childbirth. An additional 5 million women suffer permanent or temporary injury.

Although abortion rates are down from about 46 million in 1995 to just under 42 million in 2003, the study found no change in the rate of unsafe abortions compared to safe ones. Nearly half the procedures are still performed illegally in hazardous conditions.

Worldwide, a majority of abortions are preformed in poor countries, and nearly 97 percent of all unsafe abortions are in poor countries. “Unsafe” is defined as procedures performed either by people lacking the necessary skills or in an environment that does not conform to minimum medical standards.

The U.S. government actually exacerbates this disturbing trend. Thanks to the right-wing, anti-woman ideologues in Washington, no medical institution or health services abroad that are in any way associated with abortion can receive U.S. government aid.

The research found that in Eastern Europe, there are more abortions than live births: 105 abortions for every 100 live births.

In Western Europe—where abortion is legal and contraception is widely available—there are 23 abortions for every 100 live births.

In North America, there are 33 abortions for every 100 live births, while in Africa, where most countries have made the procedure illegal, there are 17 abortions for every 100 live births.

Gilda Sedgh of the Guttmacher Institute, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, conducted the Lancet study. It is being called the largest, most comprehensive global study of abortion ever undertaken.

This report reiterates what revolutionaries and women’s rights activists have long said. Those seeking to restrict access to safe abortion procedures and health care are perpetrating a horrendous crime against women.