Reasons for legalising abortion

THE EDITOR: First let me commend Ann Barcant of St Ann’s for what seems to be her concern for the “murdering” of the unborn. Her high esteem for the sanctity of human life must be admired and in fact applauded. Ms Barcant also says and I quote “There is none so blind as those who choose not to see.” This is exactly what ASPIRE’s campaign is about, the reality that the Government and concerned citizens such as Ms Barcant “choose not to see”:

* The 4,000 plus women who are hospitalised every year due to unsafe post abortion complications.
* Your tax paying dollars go towards treating these women. This costs the Government approximately $1 million per month.
* The increase of sexual violence against women such as rape and incest.
* The increasing rate of HIV/AIDS among women.
* The lack of knowledge about or access to contraceptives.
* The increase in teenage pregnancies.
* The inability to negotiate sexual relations with their partner and further to discuss such issues as family planning, particularly in those  instances where the man is the sole breadwinner and/or dominating partner.
* That most women who have an unsafe abortion are most likely to have another unwanted pregnancy because of the lack of support services such as counselling.
* That those who can afford to will have one in a safe manner.
* Two of every three women in Trinidad and Tobago will have at least one abortion by age 44.

This is the reality of the world we live in. These are all part of the “crime problem.” In the event you need more examples please see your daily newspapers for more details. Keep in mind as well that there are many other stories that do not make the newspapers. Let every man/woman be judged by their conscience. ASPIRE is not about promoting abortion. It is about the care and concern of women’s health and an unjust, criminal law which is not equitable.

It is about reforming this criminal law into a civil law which when adopted can help save the lives of many women, and even the unborn. This has been successfully proven in such countries as Romania, Belgium, and the Netherlands. When abortion is decriminalised, women can rely on trained health care professionals to provide safe services that are regulated by the Ministry of Health. They can also receive pre and post abortion counselling that will help them avoid repeat abortions.

DAVID D K SOOMARIE
Advocate, ASPIRE