Saturday, 28th, September, 2024: World Safe Abortion Day-Brigid Croome, South Australian Abortion Action Coalition Co-Convenor

International World Safe Abortion Day highlights the importance of safe abortions as a community effort. In South Australia, legislation was changed to ensure safe and respectful access to abortions. However, some politicians are pushing for bills that could restrict access, like one that would force women to carry pregnancies to term, raising concerns about forced births. Education and community support are vital in advocating for women's rights and access to safe abortion services.

Legislation regarding abortion often lacks understanding of the complexities involved in pregnancy and birthing. Forcing a premature delivery raises serious ethical concerns and legal issues, especially since medical laws prioritize the health of the birthing person over the fetus. Community support generally favors allowing individuals to make informed decisions about their own health care, including abortion, rather than having those decisions imposed by legislation. Amendments to such bills sometimes fail to address critical issues like adoption. Ultimately, informed consent from health care professionals is essential for those seeking an abortion, reflecting a broader need for respectful and knowledgeable discussions around these sensitive topics.

In 2021, new legislation regarding abortion emphasized the importance of assessing the pregnant person's health and wellbeing. It requires doctors to consult together and consider the risks involved before making decisions. Advocate Bridget argues that when a pregnancy is deemed untenable, the rights and needs of the person carrying the fetus should take precedence. Research shows that denying abortions leads to negative outcomes for both the individuals and any children born from such situations. Despite party disagreements on the matter, there seems to be some level of endorsement within the political framework concerning the need for these health care decisions. In essence, the focus remains on prioritizing the healthcare needs of individuals over the rights of the fetus, given the potential harm to all parties involved when access to abortion is restricted.

Healthcare decisions, particularly surrounding abortion, are deeply political and often influenced by misinformation. A recent report highlighted very few late-term abortions in South Australia, suggesting that proposed amendments are unfounded. This creates unnecessary panic about a non-issue. On International Safe Abortion Day, there’s a call to ensure safe, accessible abortion care and to decriminalize abortion. It’s essential to scrutinize claims made by those opposing abortion rights and recognize the evidence that contradicts their narratives. Discussions should focus on providing essential care and understanding the real impact on women's health and rights, rather than creating false perceptions of a crisis that doesn't exist.

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