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The Abortion Controversy leading to women resorting to unsafe methods of abortion.

All over the world, women encounter unwanted pregnancies. In sporadic cases, only a small percentage of women succeed in terminating a pregnancy by safe medical means, while the majorities resort to unsafe means (Agbeno et al., 2020). Abortion can be illegal or legal. Only a few countries allow abortion, which leads to the death of women due to women opting for unsafe methods of carrying out an abortion. Women have been carrying out abortions for decades. The criminalization of abortion and stringent law in access to affordable and safe abortion services have resulted in women turning into unsafe abortion practices causing life complications and a high maternal mortality rate among women. The issue of unsafe abortion is one of the less emphasized problems in the world. A lot of women lose their lives every day due to the fact that there is no available means of conducting a safe abortion.

Abortion is recognized as a divisive, sensitive, and even emotive issue. Abortion has remained a controversial topic in today's society for a long time. For instance, in most instances, pro-choice and pro-life are arguing about what each side believes to be the proper position regarding abortion (Shabbazi, 2011). The pro-choice argued in support of the autonomy of pregnant women according to the law. In contrast, the prolife contends in support of the protection of the psychological well-being of women as well as the unborn child.

The issue of abortion as a legal discourse can generally be linked with the right to privacy in the case of Griswold vs. Connecticut, where the US Supreme court held that it is unconstitutional to violate the rights of privacy. Following the principle of the right to privacy, the issue of abortion was discussed in the case of Roe vs. Wade, where it was held that the privacy rights extend to a woman's decision to carry out an abortion (Erdman et al., 2020). However, it is crucial to strike a balance between the state legitimates interest in regulating abortion. Protecting women is on one side, and protecting prenatal life is on the other side.

In a nutshell, the case of Roe vs. Wade brought to light a significant debate that continues to date. This ranges from the issue of whether or to what extent abortion should be legalized, who should be responsible for legalizing the abortion, and what should be the role of moral and religious views in the political spheres. As a result of the decision of Roe vs. Wade, it brought into the culmination of both anti-abortion and pro-abortion camps that exist today.

Abortion has persistently remained a controversial topic in our society today. Different countries in the world have enacted various laws allowing abortion, either under any or exceptional circumstances (Klima,1998). According to United Nations, different countries permit abortion to save a woman's life and preserve a woman's mental and physical health, in case of incest or rape, for social or economic reasons, or because of fetal impairment.

Solution

The law should be harmonized and interrogated in order to afford protection to the unborn child. This is notwithstanding the exceptional lawful circumstances that have been provided under the law. The rationale behind this is because the unborn child is a person that calls for and deserves protection. The law should clearly indicate that an unborn child or fetus is a normal human being with equal rights as that of a born child. Both born and unborn children should be accorded equal protection of the law.

An adaption is an option in coming up with a solution to resolve the crisis that exists concerning abortion. Unintended or unplanned pregnancy results in a problem with no or limited resolution options. The situations present a psychological, economic, and social challenge to women who are faced with limited options for resolution. However, it is essential to increase awareness of adaption as a solution to the crisis of abortion

Conclusion

Women resort to unsafe method and practice of abortion as a result of controversy that surround abortion. More education is needed to increase awareness of adoption as an option in resolving the abortion crisis while continued efforts are made at primary prevention through the use of contraceptives. The society at the same time should empower women to make their own reproductive decision. The abortion controversy cannot be separated from the right to life discourse. Although the supporter of pro-choice question the legal status of the unborn child, it is essential to note that the right to life is very profound in the protection of the unborn child. It is important to note that the right to life is deep, and any decision to terminate it ought to be in accordance with fair play and the rule of justice.

References

Agbeno, E. K., Osarfo, J., Ofori, A. A., Achampong, E. K., Anane-Fenin, B. A. O., Azanu, W. K., Sarbeng, K., & Morhe, E. S. K. (2020). Resolving unintended pregnancy crisis: Is adoption a viable option? A cross-sectional study in Kumasi, Ghana. SAGE Open Medicine, 8, 205031212095918. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050312120959181

Erdman, J. N., & Cook, R. J. (2020). Decriminalization of abortion – A human rights imperative. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 62, 11–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2019.05.004

Klima, C. (1998). Unintended pregnancy Consequences and solutions for a worldwide problem. Journal of Nurse-Midwifery, 43(6), 483–491. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0091-2182(98)00063-9

Shahbazi, S. (2011). The consequences of unsafe abortion : a qualitative study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68(6), 1247–1255. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011.05826.x

RASCH, V. (2011). Unsafe abortion and postabortion care - an overview. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 90(7), 692–700. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0412.2011.01165.x