The abortion debate is one that rages wherever it is found. Australia is no different in that sense than any other place, there are those that are against abortion and there are those that are for a woman's right to be able to make that decision for themselves. I am one who believes that a woman has the right to choose and that right should not be impeded by legislation or by others through fear or intimidation.The debate in Australia comes and goes. It generally comes when there is news related to abortion or when government's seek to legislate to restrict or broaden access to abortions. In Victoria, the government is seeking to pass a bill that will decriminalize abortion. The bill has successfully navigated the lower house of the Victorian Parliament and now only needs to get through the upper house.
Decriminalizing abortion simply means that the provisions in the Victorian Crimes Act relating to abortion will be repealed. The Abortion Law Reform Bill will allow women to terminate a pregnancy up to 24 weeks into the pregnancy. Having seen the Kid on the USG at 24 weeks it is a hell of a decision to have to make, but I still support the right of a woman to make that decision.
I would hope that the woman has access to all the necessary services to make an informed decision, and then I would hope that she has access to post-termination support services if they are required.
The bill when it is passed into law (assuming that it successfully gets through the upper house) will require that two doctors are involved in the process and they will decide if the termination is warranted based on the woman's physical, psychological, and social circumstances.
It is not expected to be plain sailing for the bill in the upper house and amendments are expected. There are some problematic issues such as the fact that a termination can take place up to 24 weeks into the pregnancy. This brought out a number of protesters (photo courtesy of AAP).
And, that doctors who do not want to perform abortions and object on conscientious grounds would be required to refer the woman to another doctor that does not have any conscientious objections to performing the procedure. This in effect makes the conscientious objector complicit in the process to terminate the pregnancy.
However, on balance, I hope this legislation passes the Victorian Parliament and a woman's decision to terminate her pregnancy is no longer a crime.
A woman must have the right to choose and this right must be protected.
12 comments:
...this has nothing to do with abortion, unfortunately but I have moved to a temporary address at thewriterindenmark.blogspot.com so I would eternally grateful if you can change my existing link in this blog to that one
Writer...
Yep, you're right! Your comment has nothing to do with the topic at hand :D
Done. On the updated address in the link.
While we're off topic, any luck on getting the site / blog issues worked out?
Nope. I try to think positive these days, hence I can only conclude that Blogger / google support staff must have had serious illnesses (altogether) or they are all stranded in a far far away island, judging from their lack of response to my problem
Writer...
Maybe they just have not returned from their Idul Fitri holiday?
I wrote something regarding this topic as well, but it was ages ago.
But I think it pretty much told which side I stand on :)
Therry...
So, I gotta go search for it to see which side you stand on? :D
I have two children and I have always thought that I personally would rather be a single mum than abort my pregancy. Having said that, my first pregnancy was terminated at 16 weeks. Our precious darling was diagnosed with anencephaly. The next day, I was induced. I was pretty much in a hell hole after that. I could've carried him to term, but that option wasn't clearly explained to me. I didn't get any counselling after what happened (in jkt). So it was awful.
Women who go through abortions have enough emotional distress as it is. I don't think anyone else should budge in and make them feel even worse!
In Indonesia, backyard abortion is rampant (so I heard from friends and families working in reprod. health). I'd say, we should facilitate what is inevitable anyway to make it save for the women.
On the stigmatisation of abortion in Indonesia, I saw a trailer of HANTU ABORSI on the net weeks ago. It was shocking! Shocking! Someone should write something to the producers and those involved in the production.
KD...
I wrote something on abortion in Indonesia for some clients 6 or so weeks ago. The statistics are alarming. There is a definite need to make the process as safe as it can be for women.
I saw the film listed for showing in the newspaper. I did not think to write anything about it because the idea of sitting down to watch it never struck my mind to do so.
@Rob:
Well, if you have the time you can read it :P
Therry...
Always have time for you.
Yep. Found it, read it, and commented on it in your blog.
Sex addiction now abortion............is there a link here,......hmmmmmmmmm!!!
GJ...
No link, although I guess there could have been one if I had thought about it.
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