Criminalizing Abortion Does Not Reduce the Number of Abortions Performed

The largest global abortion study to date has revealed that tightening and restricting abortion laws does not reduce the number of pregnancies that are terminated. The study, carried out by the Guttmacher Institute in collaboration with the World Health Organization, found that from 1995-2005 three countries tightened restrictions on abortion while 17 countries liberalized abortion legislation. Common belief among Pro-Life politicians and Catholic clergy holds that tightening and restricting abortion laws results in fewer abortions, and liberalizing abortion laws results in more abortions. However, during the same time period when 17 countries liberalized their abortion laws, the number of induced abortions declined.

When abortion is criminalized, women seeking to terminate their pregnancies are forced to access unsafe abortions, which often result in death or serious injury. Worldwide, an estimated 67,000 women die each year as a result of unsafe abortions, and another 5 million women a year visit hospitals to receive treatment for complications related to unsafe abortions.

CYC and the Canadian Federation for Sexual Health (CFSH) supports a woman’s individual right to choose and obtain an abortion. Women also have the right to accurate, non-judgmental information concerning all pregnancy options, to assist with their decision. More information about CFSH’s stance is available through CFSH’s Abortion Position Statement.

Information for this hot topic taken from The Economist, October 18th 2007, Safe, legal and falling.

http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9989951