Maryam Sadr | Staff Writer
One of the most debated topics that had a surprising impact on the midterm election of the USA was access to abortion. With the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, which was passed to legalize safe abortion for women, we are witnessing a large mass of people getting into the streets to demand their human right, the right to have a safe and legal abortion.
The right to abortion, the medical procedure to end a pregnancy, in the USA was granted through the 1973 Roe v. Wade and the 1992 Planned Parenthood vs Casey decision both of which got overturned by the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision. It is not surprising that the changes brought by the supreme court resulted in the mix reactions from both US citizens and people around the world. While the pro-life supporters were out in the streets celebrating a huge victory, we were observing other masses of people including pro-choice supporters displaying sadness, regrets, and anger due to the law passed by the court, referring to it as a backward step into history. While these movements might or might not lead to reconsideration of the court’s decision, it is essential that we investigate the downfalls and the consequences of criminalizing abortion.
The truth is that whether or not abortion is legal, people will still seek out an abortion. Data shows that the abortion rate in the countries that forbid abortion is 37 per 1,000 people. In contrast, the pace in the countries that widely allow abortion, is 34 per 1,000 people, a difference that is not statistically significant at all. Hence, making abortion illegal is a completely unnecessary step that not only doesn’t reduce the number of abortions but also results in putting the lives of women in more danger by increasing the number of unsafe abortions. By criminalizing abortion, governments do not restrict access to abortion but rather restrict access to safe and risk-free medical procedures, which is one of the basic rights of their citizens. Based on estimates, 25 million unsafe abortions occur each year, and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 4.7–13.2% of maternal deaths are due to unsafe abortions annually. While in developed regions 30 women die for every 100,000 unsafe abortions, in developing countries for every 100,000 unsafe abortions, there are 220 deaths. Only by giving these women access to safe, professional, and legal medical care, will we be able to save their lives.
The right to protect and take care of one’s own body and to have access to medical health care should be one of the most fundamental human rights. Yet it is quite ironic that in the 21st century, we are observing women in the most developed countries like the USA fighting for their basic human rights. “My mom already marched for this!” says one of the protesters. Unfortunately, men in suits are still sitting behind closed doors making laws and decisions regarding women’s bodies, telling them what is best for their bodies, and in case they act otherwise, they will face legal measures. If anything, this shows how much women are still struggling and facing discrimination.
Criminalizing abortion, it seems, is not the solution for anything but rather, another way to oppress women. Instead of endangering women’s lives by making abortion unsafe, the state is supposed to respect women’s decisions regarding their own bodies. Instead, it must provide the best healthcare system to protect the lives of its citizens.