- This comes after the controversial decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to strip women of the right to abortion.
- Arguments in favor of Abortion
- Abortion rights are essential to uphold a woman's autonomy and bodily integrity.
- Denying abortion jeopardizes women's health, freedom, and equality.
- Arguments Against Abortion
- Terminating a pregnancy is equivalent to taking a human life
- Psychological and emotional impact on women who undergo the procedure.
- In India, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971 permits licensed medical professionals to perform abortions in specific predetermined situations.
- As per the 2021 Amendment in the MTP Act,
- The opinion of only one doctor will be required up to 20 weeks of gestation.
- Authorization of two doctors is required, for gestation period from 20 to 24 weeks for special categories of women like
- Survivors of rape, victims of incest, etc.
- Supreme Court Judgment (X vs. Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Govt. of NCT of Delhi)
- SC held that unmarried women have the same right to abortion as married women.
- SC also ruled that under the MTP Act, rape would include marital rape as well.
- As per the 2021 Amendment in the MTP Act,