I was on my way to bed when I remembered a random goodness from earlier today. At lunch with my friend Liz (who, incidentally, is one of my favourite persons), I was filling her in on a news item about which I was writing an article for our website. The news item in question was that the U.S. Senate passed an amendment, to the 2008 fiscal year foreign aid bill, on September 6 which overturns the Global Gag Rule.
Officially known as the Mexico City Policy, this measure prohibits international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) receiving family planning assistance from the U.S. government from supporting safe abortion in any way, even if they were to use their own separate funding to do so. This not only restricts free speech on abortion-related issues but also forces overseas NGOs to make an unfair choice between accepting U.S. funding in order to provide other essential health services and forgoing much needed funding for sexual and reproductive health initiatives, including providing safe abortions, counseling and referrals for safe abortions and political advocacy (i.e., lobbying) for safe abortion.
To clarify, 'safe abortion' refers to abortions performed by qualified medical professionals in a safe, clean health care facility. By contrast, women who do not have access to legal safe abortion services may seek out unsafe abortions, which often result in serious medical complications and/or death. For instance, in Nigeria, where I lived and worked for nearly a year and a half, the majority of the estimated 610,000 abortions performed annually in this country are unsafe and more than 140,000 result in hospitalization due to complications.
To clarify, 'safe abortion' refers to abortions performed by qualified medical professionals in a safe, clean health care facility. By contrast, women who do not have access to legal safe abortion services may seek out unsafe abortions, which often result in serious medical complications and/or death. For instance, in Nigeria, where I lived and worked for nearly a year and a half, the majority of the estimated 610,000 abortions performed annually in this country are unsafe and more than 140,000 result in hospitalization due to complications.
"Unsafe abortions contribute significantly to the maternal mortality ratio in Nigeria which, at an estimated 800 deaths per 100,000 live births, is one of the highest in the world (WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA, 2003)." Source: Ipas in Nigeria
Getting back to my original train of thought ... As I was informing Liz about this development I noticed that the people at the next table had stopped talking briefly. I was certain that they had overheard our conversation and I wondered briefly what their reactions were to what I was saying. My curiosity was satisfied when I said "because what it really comes down to is whether you want women to have safe abortions or unsafe abortions" and the woman at the next table responded "safe abortions!" It made me feel so happy to be provided with this unexpected affirmation of something I care about deeply. She added "I think it's really great you are talking about this." When I told her that I work for a sexual and reproductive health and rights NGO she said sincerely "good for you! That's great!"
So that was a something good that happened today. As an aside, the good news about the U.S. Senate's decision to rescind the Global Gag Rule is unfortunately diminished by the certainty that Bush will veto the bill in an effort to preserve the Mexico City Policy, of which he is a staunch defender. Then again, this latest development should help to promote public awareness regarding the severe negative impacts that the policy has had on international NGOs efforts to promote comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services and rights, in particular in the developing world where rates of unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and STIs including HIV/AIDS are high.
So that was a something good that happened today. As an aside, the good news about the U.S. Senate's decision to rescind the Global Gag Rule is unfortunately diminished by the certainty that Bush will veto the bill in an effort to preserve the Mexico City Policy, of which he is a staunch defender. Then again, this latest development should help to promote public awareness regarding the severe negative impacts that the policy has had on international NGOs efforts to promote comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services and rights, in particular in the developing world where rates of unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and STIs including HIV/AIDS are high.
No comments:
Post a Comment