Critics on Abortion Rights in India: Issues and Policy Perspectives

In medical terms, before the viability of embryos, abortion refers to pregnancy termination via the expulsion or removal of the embryo or fetus. Studies also point out that of the numerous causes of high maternal mortality, abortion is one of the leading causes. The literature, however, has revealed that though abortion has been legalized in India, cases of unsafe abortions continue, wherein lies the risk of high-level morbidity and sometimes mortality. The literature review in this chapter identifies the gap and asks why people turn to unsafe abortive practices when abortion is legalized in India. It also raises the question of whether any loopholes appear in the present policies of abortion, which is a hurdle in the supply-side economics of abortion. This chapter, by reviewing the literature, attempts to answer that question and concludes that in spite of liberalized abortion laws, scientific and accurate study, the inclusion of diverse viewpoints on policies related to abortion, and easing the progression of abortive services are needed to organize awareness campaigns so that unsafe abortion practices are infrequent or so that women opt for safe abortion practices.