National Abortion Federation Blog: Saporta Reporter
| News about reproductive choice from the President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation, Vicki Saporta. |
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We continue to mourn the loss of our friend and colleague, Dr. George Tiller. Dr. Tiller was a dedicated physician who provided quality abortion care to women, at great personal sacrifice and risk. He is truly a hero to his fellow abortion providers and his patients. Dr. Tiller’s office is filled with letters from women, thanking him for the excellent, compassionate care he provided. Many of these women say Dr. Tiller saved their lives.
Since his tragic death, we have received messages from some of his patients and from people around the world who are saddened and outraged. We feel it is important to share these words and tributes to our beloved colleague and friend. For the first time, we will enable comments on our blog so that all of you can share your condolences or offer memories of Dr. Tiller. We invite you to join us in honoring a true American hero, Dr. George Tiller.
Post your comments, condolences, and personal memories of Dr. Tiller
Review Finds Global Trend Toward Liberalization of Abortion Laws
Since 1998, 16 countries have adopted more liberal abortion laws, a study published by the Guttmacher Institute reported. The report, released this week, examined changes in abortion laws between 1998 and 2007, and found that 16 countries increased the grounds on which abortions can be legally provided. An additional 10 countries maintained their current laws, but added supplements that increased access to abortion care. In Latin America, major change occurred in Columbia, whose constitutional court struck down its blanket prohibition of abortion in 2006, and in Mexico City, whose government recently revised its laws to allow unrestricted access to abortion care up to 12 weeks’ gestation. In 2002, abortion access laws in Nepal were amended to allow abortion care up to 12 weeks’ gestation, as well as in cases of rape, incest, fetal impairment or risk to the mother. In 2003, the African Union ratified a protocol guaranteeing a woman the right to an abortion in cases of rape, incest, sexual assault or threat to the mother’s mental or physical health. This trend reflects international recognition of the negative effects abortion restrictions have on women. Labels: access, Africa, international, Mexico, studies
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South Africa's Parliament Approves Legislation to Increase Abortion Access
Today, South Africa's Parliament passed a bill to increase abortion access. The proposed law would allow for increased hours at abortion facilities, remove the requirement of mandating pre-approval to obtain abortion care, and permit nurses to provide abortion services. The legislation will now be referred to President Thabo Mbeki to sign into law. > Learn more about reproductive rights in South Africa. Labels: access, advanced practice clinicians, Africa
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Abortion Rate Declines Worldwide, But Illegal and Unsafe Abortions Remain a Problem
A new report shows the abortion rate declined more in developed countries, where abortion is generally safe and legal, than in developing countries, where the procedure is largely illegal and unsafe, according to “ Induced Abortion: Rates and Trends Worldwide,” a new report released by the Guttmacher Institute and the World Health Organization (WHO) published in the October 13, 2007 issue of The Lancet. The number of induced abortions worldwide has declined from nearly 46 million to under 42 million between 1995 and 2003. Abortion rates fell most significantly in Eastern Europe, a trend that corresponds with substantially increased contraceptive use in the region. The study also found that an estimated 20 million unsafe abortions occurred in 2003, 97% of these in developing regions. The prevalence of unsafe abortion remains high, with up to 39 unsafe abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–44 in Eastern Africa and 33 per 1,000 in South America. By contrast, developed regions, where almost all countries allow abortions with few restrictions, had an average unsafe abortion rate of two per 1,000. The report concluded that reducing the incidence of unsafe abortion would result in an immediate and substantial reduction of maternal mortality and improve maternal health. Labels: Africa, Europe, safety, studies
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African Leaders Call for Legalized, Safe Abortion Care
This week leaders from ten African nations called for legislation to end unsafe abortion during a conference in Kenya, which addressed the application of international and regional human rights agreements to reduce the maternal mortality rate in Africa. According to Kenyan Vice-President Moody Awori, 100 women die daily from unsafe abortion in Africa, and of the 19 million women who undergo unsafe abortion yearly, 4.2 million are in Africa. Awori said urgent solutions were needed to end unsafe abortion. A protocol that authorizes legal abortions in cases of rape, incest, or to protect the life or health of the woman has been ratified by 21 African countries including Tanzania and Rwanda. Kenya and Uganda have signed, but not ratified the protocol on women’s rights in Africa, however Awori said in a speech that ratification was “high on Kenya’s agenda.” Labels: Africa, safety
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Pro-Choice News From Home and Abroad
NAF was mentioned in a story about the increasingly extreme tactics of anti-choice advocates in the United Kingdom. Read the London Daily Telegraph article. The New York Times has a story about pro-choice members of the clergy. The Inter Press Service has a story on how outdated abortion laws force African women to resort to unsafe, illegal abortions. NPR has an in-depth look at how the South Dakota legislature is responding to the national attention they have received after passing the abortion ban. Cecelia Fire Thunder, the president of the South Dakota Oglala Sioux Tribe, wishes to open a comprehensive reproductive health care clinic on her reservation. Read the Baltimore Sun story. The Kenya Obstetrical and Gynecological Society is campaigning to make medical abortion available in Kenya. Read the South African Mail and Guardian story. Labels: abortion bans, Africa, anti-choice, safety
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Idaho, Africa, and Mississippi
The Idaho legislature is considering a bill that would require teens to have parental consent before obtaining an abortion. Read the local story. Today is day three of a four day conference in Ethiopia about unsafe abortion in Africa. Read the news on allafrica.com. The Mississippi legislature is considering an abortion ban bill. Read about it. Labels: abortion bans, Africa, parental involvement, safety, state legislation
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