Aspire: Abortions will continue

Advocates for Safe Parenthood: Improving Reproductive Equity (Aspire) said marches, petitions, international conferences, banners and the silence of parliamentarians will not stop abortions. “Abortions will continue unabated. Life will continue to be devalued as long as there are forced pregnancies and women’s fundamental human rights are violated.” Aspire said there will continue to be abandoned children, street children, crime and violence among youth, human suffering and broken families.”

In a letter to the editor, the organisation said the situation must be handled holistically, with the law being an important part of the solution. It said the law will matter to those women who do not have access to safe services because of the restrictive law. “It matters to all women who are abused in the process of receiving treatment for abortion.” Aspire said the “truth” is that the current law cannot be enforced. Aspire said the law is not an impediment for the many levels in society that ignore it with impunity. “The absence of regulations also means that many women are at the mercy of some providers. There are no regulations and no standards of care.”