Your space: Let women have final say on abortion, say Pune readers

A helpline by a Pune-based NGO to assist women with their rights and health issues found that most decisions about aborting the foetus were taken by men. The hotline Marzi (freedom of choice) was launched by the NGO Samyak to promote safe abortion and information related to it. Our readers share what needs to be done to truly empower women on this issue...

A recent research shows that 13 women die in India due to unsafe abortion-related causes every day and nearly 6.4 million pregnancies are terminated every year in India. At least 80 per cent of women do not know that abortion is legal in India and this contributes to women seeking terminations from “backstreet” providers. However, many women do not know about safe abortion and are hesitant to ask for more information. The abortion law states that a woman who is an adult does not need consent from anyone else for an abortion. However, the exact opposite is happening in India.

According to the NGO director, Anand Pawar, the hotline Marzi was launched to promote safe abortions and information related to it as no government authority in the state was talking about it. (HT Representational photo)

Marzi helpline is a great initiative, but most women are unable to avail the facility directly, which is a major cause of concern. According to me, a woman’s body belongs to herself, and she should have the absolute independence to make decisions about it regardless of other’s opinions. The men concerned can have a say in the discussion, but the ultimate decision should lie with the women.

However, this seems to be a far-fetched dream, due to the stigma attached to abortions. Men need to understand that the foetus doesn’t entirely belong to them and they should not control a woman’s body. Taking decisions about abortions may be stressful for the mothers and supporting them throughout the entire phase would be the best thing that others can do. The fact that men think they have a right over women’s body and women’s lack of independence and awareness about abortions has affected the rate of safe abortions in the country. Let abortion be a choice. - Shreya Jugoolkar

Create awareness on decision making

I think educated women are taking decisions on matters like abortion. Before launching a helpline, awareness needs to be increased among women about their rights to take a decision, and then the women need to be linked to the helpline and an NGO which will give them legal help in case their husbands and in-laws do not support their decisions. Starting a helpline is a good initiative, but by itself it will not achieve the desired results. - Dr Renu Bharadwaj

Decision cannot be one-sided

A big decision like abortion cannot be one-sided. It definitely has to be a mutual consent. Abortion to me is a sensitive issue. Most of the time, it is not about who takes the decision. It is also about how aware is the couple. The decision should be taken by the couple together. However, if they do not reach a mutual agreement, then the woman should take the decision. - Sonia Agarwal Konjeti

Lack of planning by couple

It is a complex and multi-factorial problem. First and foremost, it is a lack of planning by the couple. The situation arises because women are reluctant to take oral contraception and the men avoid using barrier contraception due to deprivation of pleasure or lack of preparedness. However, the procedure of abortion will be performed on the woman. Hence, men can be casual in approach to this whole problem. But when it comes to taking a decision, the men want to have an upper hand. The main question is why are people going in for an abortion? We must ensure that people who go in for abortions should be aware of the procedure and decision should be taken mutually and not under any pressure from the family members. - Dr Nitin Bhagali

Decision-making should be mutual

We live in a patriarchal society, and hence, we have a mindset that all decisions will be taken by men. Similarly, the women are trained in such a way, that they depend on men for decision-making. This is absolutely wrong. In a matter like abortion, the decision should be mutual. Besides this, abortion becomes a larger issue due to illicit relationships and rapes. This is where the woman is left to fight a lone battle. - Azhar Tamboli

Women must have the final say

It is absolutely unfair that many men take decisions on abortion. Only women should have the final say, as the decision will primarily affect her. Everyone else, like the family members and friends, can be a part of the discussion, but the woman must have the final say. - Dr Avinash Ignatius

Looking at different perspectives

Decision on abortion should always be taken by mutual consent. If there is no consent, the decision of the woman should be given primacy. Moreover, mutual consent and discussion on abortion may allow the people concerned to look at the situation with different perspectives. Sometimes abortion may not be the best way out, but in certain cases it may be the only way out. - Manoj Oswal

Observation by NGO is right

It has been observed and as per my knowledge, among a newly married Indian couple, most of the times, the decision is taken by the man (husband) under his mother’s instructions and there is pressure on the woman. The decision of the woman takes a back seat. So, the observation of the NGO is right. We live in a society where the truth remains that women have little say in these matters as the husband’s wish always prevails. A truth we rarely will accept in public domain, because we are a hypocritical society. - Dr Avinash Bhondwe

Make women aware of their rights

The experience of Pune-based NGO Samyak helpline to assist women with their rights and health issues is synonymous with the Indian mindset, where men are the decision makers in every matter. The decision of giving birth should be of the woman as she is the one who will go through the pregnancy process. Times have changed; women are educated, doing jobs and are economically independent, but the old habit of the man of the house taking important decisions continues. If the NGO wants to help women with abortion-related issues, they need to make them aware of their rights. - Maya Bhatkar

Educate women at school-level

Though the Pune-based NGO Samyak has started the helpline Marzi to assist women with their rights and health issues, there is a lack of education and awareness. Women must be educated about abortion-related issues at the school and college-levels. Men should encourage women to contact the helpline for guidance. - Anoop Panjwani

Men and women are equal

The problem of men taking decision on abortion not only prevails in villages, but also in cities where most people are educated. It is a shame that families who are educated let the men take important decision. If we want women to take the decision, we must make the men aware about the rights of women. Looking at the misuse of laws protecting female rights, the laws should be rethought. The government should close the loopholes. We must keep in mind that men and women are equal and both should be involved in decision-making. - Haresh Shah