A recent study has found that over 95% of women in India are unaware of the new abortion rules introduced by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare last year.
The amendment to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act allows women to undergo abortions up to 24 weeks of pregnancy without requiring the opinion of a medical practitioner. Only 4% of women were aware of the amendment, which was passed a year and a half ago.
The rules also allow for the termination of pregnancies beyond 24 weeks in certain cases, such as those involving substantial fetal abnormalities or where the pregnancy poses a threat to the life of the mother.
The study conducted by the Foundation for Reproductive Health Services, India (FRHS) surveyed over 2,000 women from various socio-economic backgrounds across the country. The FRHS, an NGO that provides clinical family planning services, found that a third of the women interviewed were uncertain or did not consider abortion as one of their health rights.
The study found that 95% of frontline healthcare providers (FLWs) were unaware of the MTP Act, 1971 Amendment, and women from poorer backgrounds were less likely to be aware of the new rules. It also revealed that unmarried women mostly rely on social media platforms (50%) and teachers (33%) for information on pregnancies and abortions.
The study emphasizes the need for information and counseling services for women and for training healthcare providers to deliver safe and effective abortion services.