Mapping Abortion Policies, Programmes and Services in the South-East Asia Region
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A Review of Sexuality and Reproductive Health and Rights in Thailand
A Review of Sexuality and Reproductive Health and Rights in Thailand Prepared for the Ford Foundation Office for Vietnam and Thailand Hanoi, Vietnam May – August 2006 Siriporn Yongpanichkul, consultant based in Bangkok, Thailand, wrote this report for the Sexuality and Reproductive Health program of the Ford Foundation office for Vietnam and Thailand, in Hanoi Vietnam. The report was written May - August 2006 and finalized in May 2007. Martha Ann Overland, journalist and editor, based in Hanoi, Vietnam, edited the report. Susan Y. Wood, Program Officer for Sexuality and Reproductive Health, the Ford Foundation, Hanoi, provided oversight and editorial support. Any part of this report may be copied or adapted provided that the author and source is identified. The Ford Foundation Office for Vietnam and Thailand Pacific Place 83B Ly Thuong Kiet Street, 14th floor Hanoi, Vietnam Tel.: (844) 946-1428 or 946-1418 Fax: (844) 946-1417 Email: [email protected] 2 Table of Contents Abbreviations 4 I. Executive Summary and Introduction 5 II. Success and Shortcomings of Sexual and Reproductive Health 8 Overview 8 Reproductive health service programs 9 HIV/AIDS and STIs 10 - The rights of people living with HIV 11 Adolescent sexual and reproductive health 12 Safe induced abortion 13 Gender-based violence 15 Reproductive health of women in vulnerable groups 17 III. Challenges and Opportunities for SRH Program Implementation 19 Opportunities 19 Challenges 20 Funding for SRH 21 IV. Looking forward 23 Recommended issues to be addressed 23 Strategies -
Medical Abortion: an Update
Foreword The continued demand for abortion services refl ects the unmet need for avoiding unwanted pregnancies. Unsafe abortions have always been a hazard to the lives of women. The fact that safe abortions save lives has been proven time and again across all cultures and countries. The provision of safe abortion services therefore assumes an importance which extends beyond simply doing the MTP. Despite the availability of medication abortion since 2002 there is a felt need to disseminate the optimal uses of this safe and eff ective technology. Most providers fail to use this technology because of fears which are not necessarily grounded in facts. It is 1 hoped that publications like these as this will dispel such fears. FOGSI remains committed to making abortions safer and this commitment is refl ected in the support of the offi ce bearers and past chairperson of the MTP committee in making this publication a reality. Many thanks to Dr. C.N. Purandare, Dr. Sanjay Gupte, Dr. Shirish Patwardhan, Dr. P.K. Shah, Dr. Nozer Sherier, Dr. Hrishikesh Pai. We are grateful to Cipla for supporting this initiative. Dr. Kiran Kurtkoti Dr. Jaydeep Tank Chairperson-MTP Committee, FOGSI Immediate Past Chairperson MTP Committee 2 Medical Abortion: An Update Introduction Evolution of Medical Abortion Unsafe abortion is still a major health problem in the world. Of Inducing abortion by administering drugs is not a new the 6.4 million abortions performed in India in 2002 and 2003, concept. Historic documents list an incredibly large number of 56% or 3.6 million were unsafe (Abortion Assessment Project drugs, tablets, decoctions and other substances like papaya , 3 I, 2004). -
Commodifying Karma: Abortion Discourses and Kaekam Practices in Thai Society
COMMODIFYING KARMA: ABORTION DISCOURSES AND KAEKAM PRACTICES IN THAI SOCIETY A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Cornell University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts by Moodjalin Sudcharoen May 2013 © 2013 Moodjalin Sudcharoen ABSTRACT In Thailand, abortion received little attention until the 1980s, when some social activists introduced legal reforms that would have legalized the practice, but they failed to achieve their goals. From the 1990s to the present, abortion became a topic of popular discourses as Buddhism became increasingly commodified. Entrepreneurs introduced ways for women who have had abortions to pay for services that would ameliorate their bad karma; this is known as the trend of kaekam. While the dominant discourse has long depicted abortion as a life-destroying act from a Buddhist perspective, the emphasis on embodied karma in the form of vengeful child ghosts, the ability to change one’s karma through certain rituals, and confessions by those involved in abortions is all recent. I argue that these phenomena not only dominate public discussions and perpetuate abortion stigma, but also allow some groups to gain economic benefit from the fear of the negative effects of the karma incurred through various forms of the karma business. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH Moodjalin Sudcharoen, nicknamed Mood, was born in Bangkok, Thailand, in February 1988. From 1994 to 2006, she studied at Assumption Convent School, Bangkok. Afterwards, she spent four years as an Honors Program student of the Department of Thai, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, and received a Bachelor’s degree (1st class honors) in March 2010. -
Abortion Policy Landscape-India2
First Second Post-Abortion Trimester Trimester Care Specialists (ob gyns) WHO Non-specialists (general physicians) Medical abortion ** *** (using mifepristone (Up to 9 weeks) & misoprostol combination) Surgical abortion HOW (vacuum aspiration) Surgical abortion (dilatation & evacuation) All public-sector Secondary and tertiary public- Where facilities and All public and approved private sector facilities private sector facilities/ and approved facilities clinics**** private facilities *Qualiication and training criteria apply. **The Drug Controller General of India limits the use of MA drugs upto nine weeks. However, the national CAC guidelines10 include drug protocol for second trimester abortions in accordance with WHO Guidelines 2014, for reference. *** Misoprostol only. **** MA upto seven weeks can also be prescribed from an outpatient clinic with an established referral access to MTP-approved facility. REFERENCES 1 United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Aairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1 https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/ 2 Census of India 2011 http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/population_enumeration.html 3 Sample Registration System 201416 http://www.censusindia.gov.in/vital_statistics/ SRS_Bulletins/MMR%20Bulletin-201416.pdf 4 National Family Health Survey 4 (201516) http://rchiips.org/nhs/pdf/NFHS4/India.pdf 5 Maternal Mortality Ratio: India, EAG & Assam, Southern States and Other States https://www.niti.gov.in/content/maternal-mortality-ratio-mmr-100000-live-births ABORTION 6 National Family Health Survey 1 (199293) http://rchiips.org/nhs/india1.shtml 7 Sample Registration Survey. Maternal Mortality in India: 19972003. Trends, Causes and Risk Factors. Registrar General. India http://www.cghr.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/RGICGHRMaternal-Mortality-in- India-1997%E2%80%932003.pdf POLICY LANDSCAPE 8 Banerjee et al. -
Sex-Selective Abortion in India: Exploring Institutional Dynamics and Responses
McGill Sociological Review, Volume 3 (February 2013): 18–35 Sex-selective Abortion in India: Exploring Institutional Dynamics and Responses Sugandha Nagpal York University, Toronto In India, sex-selective abortion is an established phenomenon that cuts across ru- ral/urban, educational and socioeconomic status divides. However, in understand- ing this complex and deeply contextualized issue, kinship patterns, dowry and the low social value accorded to women are often mobilized to serve as overarching explanations. While these factors are important in explaining sex-selection, in an effort to expand beyond the generalizing discourse that exercises a single point fo- cus on patriarchal cultural practices, this paper centralizes the role of institutional structures. Specifically, the paper explores state population control policies and the unchecked utilization of reproductive technologies to uncover the contemporary institutional factors that lend sex-selective abortion a normative appeal. Moreover, legal approaches to eradicating sex-selective abortion are examined in tandem with feminist conceptualizations of the issue to uncover the efficacy and dynamics of in- stitutional responses to sex- selection in India. The paper asserts the importance of an integrative approach for understanding and responding to sex-selection, both at the macro and micro level. The premature elimination of female foetuses is a widespread phenomenon in Asian coun- tries. In fact, Amartya Sen (2003) has uncovered that in the last century, “100 million women have been missing in South Asia due to "discrimination leading to death’ experi- enced by them from womb to tomb in their life cycles” (as cited in Patel 2007:289). For instance, in China in 2000 the child sex ratio at birth was 120 males per 100 females. -
Abortion Law in India: the Debate on Its Legality
International Journal of Law International Journal of Law ISSN: 2455-2194 Impact Factor: RJIF 5.12 www.lawjournals.org Volume 4; Issue 2; March 2018; Page No. 272-276 Abortion law in India: The debate on its legality Punam Kumari Bhagat1, Pratish Sinha2 1 Assistant Professor, Department of Law, Law College Dehradun, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India 2 Research Scholar, Department of Law, Law College Dehradun, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India Abstract Despite 30 years of liberal legislation, the majority of women in India still lack access to safe abortion care. This paper critically reviews the history of abortion law and policy in India since the 1960s and research on abortion service delivery. Amendments in 2002 and 2003 to the 1971 Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, including devolution of regulation of abortion services to the district level, punitive measures to deter provision of unsafe abortions, rationalisation of physical requirements for facilities to provide early abortion, and approval of medical abortion, have all aimed to expand safe services. Proposed amendments to the MTP Act to prevent sex-selective abortions would have been unethical and violated confidentiality, and were not taken forward. Continuing problems include poor regulation of both public and private sector services, a physician-only policy that excludes mid- level providers and low registration of rural compared to urban clinics; all restrict access. Poor awareness of the law, unnecessary spousal consent requirements, contraceptive targets linked to abortion, and informal and high fees also serve as barriers. Training more providers, simplifying registration procedures, de-linking clinic and provider approval, and linking policy with up-to-date technology, research and good clinical practice are some immediate measures needed to improve women’s access to safe abortion care. -
Policy and Research Paper N°15 Introduction Background IUSSP
Policy and Research Paper N°15 Abortion, Women's Health and Fertility David Anderson IUSSP ISBN 2-87108-066-6 © Copyright 1998 IUSSP Introduction Policy & Research Papers are primarily directed to policy makers at all levels. They should also be of interest to the educated public and to the academic community. The policy monographs give, in simple non-technical language, a synthetic overview of the main policy implications identified by the Committees and Working Groups. The contents are therefore strictly based on the papers and discussions of these seminars. For ease of reading no specific references to individual papers is given in the text. However the programme of the seminar and a listing of all the papers presented is given at the end of the monograph. This policy monograph is based on the seminar on 'Socio-Cultural and Political Aspects of Abortion in a Changing World' organized by the IUSSP Scientific Committee on Anthropological Demography and the Centre for Development Studies, Trivandrum, held in Trivandrum, India, from 25-28 March 1995. Background Today, worldwide, women may wish to interrupt a larger percentage of pregnancies than ever before. Throughout this century and especially since mid-century, women in nearly every country have been wishing to bear fewer and fewer children. As a result of these declining fertility desires and changing mores, the proportion of marital and extra-marital sexual activity in which children are unwanted or unacceptable has increased. Theoretically, modern contraceptive techniques, such as intrauterine devices, surgical sterilization and pharmaceuticals can prevent pregnancy in most instances. In actual practice, all except sterilization very commonly allow pregnancies to happen. -
Factors Affecting Sex-Selective Abortion in India and 17 Major States
Factors Affecting Sex-Selective Abortion in India and 17 Major States Robert D Retherford and T K Roy National Family Health Survey Subject Reports Number 21 January 2003 International Institute for Population Sciences Mumbai, India East-West Center Program on Population Honolulu, Hawaii, USA Indias first and second National Family Health Surveys (NFHS-1 and NFHS-2) were conducted in 199293 and 199899 under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare- The surveys provide national and state-level estimates of fertility, infant and child mortality, family planning practice, maternal and child health, and the utilization of services available to mothers and children- The International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, coordinated the surveys in cooperation with selected population research centres in India, the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, and ORC Macro in Calverton, Maryland- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided funding for the surveys, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) provided support for the preparation and publication of this report- ISSN 1026-4736 This publication may be reproduced for educational purposes- Correspondence addresses: International Institute for Population Sciences Govandi Station Road, Deonar, Mumbai - 400 088, India Fax: 91-22-556-3257 E-mail: iipsnfhs@vsnl-com East-West Center, Population and Health Studies 1601 East-West Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96848-1601, U-S-A- Fax: 1-808-944-7490 E-mail: poppubs@eastwestcenter-org Factors Affecting -
Separated by Borders United in Need an Assessment of Reproductive Health on the Thailand-Burma Border Separated by Borders, United in Need
SEPARATED BY BORDERS UNITED IN NEED An assessment of reproductive health on the Thailand-Burma border Separated by borders, united in need An assessment of reproductive health on the Thailand-Burma border Authors Margaret Hobstetter, JD, MPH Meredith Walsh, MPH, RN Jennifer Leigh, MPH Catherine I. Lee, MPH Cari Sietstra, JD Angel M. Foster, DPhil, MD, AM Acknowledgements This project would not have been possible without the support we received from Sarah Redlich, the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, Fordham Law School, and Therese Caouette. We would like to express our gratitude to the many organizations and individuals that participated in the interviews, service mapping exercise, and focus group discussions which served as the basis for this needs assessment. Finally, we are grateful for Norda Prisangdat’s assistance with translation and focus group discussion facilitation. Graphic design & photographs Graphic design by Nancy Chuang. Photographs by Nancy Chuang: Mae Tao Clinic Reproductive Health Department, Tak Province, Thailand (cover, p.5, 8, 12, 14, 19, 23, 33, 41, 43); Mae Tao Clinic Child Outpatient Department, Tak Province, Thailand (p.7); Rim Moei river crossing between Thailand and Burma, Tak Province, Thailand (p.3, 9); Migrant communities in Tak Province, Thailand (p.27, 29); Refugees crossing at border, Tak Province, Thailand (p.37). Photograph by Becky Hurwitz: Mae Tao Clinic Reproductive Health Department, Tak Province, Thailand (p.24). Suggested citation Hobstetter M, Walsh M, Leigh J, Lee C, Sietstra C, Foster A. Separated by borders, united in need: An assessment of reproductive health on the Thailand-Burma border. Cambridge, MA: Ibis Reproductive Health, 2012. -
Factors Affecting Sex-Selective Abortion in India
NATIONALFAMILYHEALTHSURVEY B w U w L w L w E w T w I w N International Institute for Population Sciences Factors Affecting Sex-Selective East-West Center Population and Health Studies Abortion In India Number 17 irth histories collected during India’s first and second National Family Health January 2003 Surveys (NFHS-1 and NFHS-2) show an unusually large proportion of male ISSN 1083-8678 Bbirths in some population groups, which suggests that female fetuses are being aborted. Normally, about 105 boys are born for every 100 girls in a population, resulting in a sex ratio at birth of about 1.05. In India as a whole, the sex ratio at birth This NFHS Bulletin summarizes findings was 1.06 during 1978–92, the 15-year period covered by NFHS-1. It rose to 1.08 during from India’s first and second National 1984–98, the 15-year period covered by NFHS-2, but this is still not much higher than Family Health Surveys, conducted in the biological norm. 1992–93 and 1998–99, respectively, There is, however, considerable variation in the sex ratio at birth among certain under the auspices of the Indian Ministry population groups. The sex ratio at birth is particularly high in certain western and of Health and Family Welfare. The northern states, in families that have daughters but no sons, and among women with surveys provide national and state-level a high level of education and media exposure. In a few states, the sex ratio at birth is estimates of fertility, infant and child unusually low in families that have sons but no daughters, indicating some selective mortality, family planning practice, abortion of boys. -
Columbia University Journal of Bioethics 1 2 Fall 2007
Columbia University Journal of Bioethics 1 2 Fall 2007 Columbia University Journal of Bioethics And Supplement on BIOCEP Volume VI. No 1, Fall 2007 Editorial Board Faculty Editors Editors-in-Chief Dr. John D. Loike Ashley Pandolfi Dr. Ruth L. Fischbach Michael Peluso Cover Design: “Entwine‖ Copy Editors Dana Balitzer, Kim Atiyeh, Soo Han, Dr. John D. Loike Ashley Pandolfi, Ben Stern, Please send your comments Kathryn Vreeland, to Dr. John D. Loike Alisha Sachchathep, at: [email protected] Zahrah Taufique, Diana Zhou Web Version is available through the undergraduate page: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ Or through http://www.bioethicscolumbia.org/ Copyright 2007 by: Columbia University Center for Bioethics NO PART OF THIS JOURNAL MAY BE COPIED OR USED WITHOUT PERMISSION. All views in the articles reflect those of the authors only. Columbia University Journal of Bioethics 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................. 5 Introductions by Dr. John Loike and Dr. Ruth Fischbach ............ …………………………………..…….6-7 Section I: Genetics The Twist about Gene Patenting Elizabeth Cedars Kimberly Atiyeh ......................................8-11 Athletics and Stem Cells Dana Balitzer Mikilena Greusel.………………….........12-14 Generation XY Mikilena Greusel Benjamin Stern………………….……….15-16 Section II: Reproductive Medicine Full Stop: The End-of-Line for Periods? Kimberly Atiyeh Benjamin Stern……………………….….17-20 Prevalence of Birth Defects in ART Infants -
Exploring Legal Restrictions, Regulatory Reform, and Geographic Disparities in Abortion Access in Thailand Article (Accepted Version) (Refereed)
Grady Arnott, Grace Sheehy, Orawee Chinthakanan, and Angel M. Foster Exploring legal restrictions, regulatory reform, and geographic disparities in abortion access in Thailand Article (Accepted version) (Refereed) Original citation: Arnott, Grady and Sheehy, Grace and Chinthakanan, Orawee and Foster, Angel M. (2017) Exploring legal restrictions, regulatory reform, and geographic disparities in abortion access in Thailand. Health and Human Rights Journal, 19 (1). ISSN 2150-4113 Reuse of this item is permitted through licensing under the Creative Commons: © 2017 The Author(s) © CC-BY 3.0 This version available at: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/83646/ Available in LSE Research Online: July 2017 LSE has developed LSE Research Online so that users may access research output of the School. Copyright © and Moral Rights for the papers on this site are retained by the individual authors and/or other copyright owners. You may freely distribute the URL (http://eprints.lse.ac.uk) of the LSE Research Online website. 24/07/2017 Exploring Legal Restrictions, Regulatory Reform, and Geographic Disparities in Abortion Access in Thailand | Health and Human Rights J… ABOUT HHR ARCHIVES SUBMISSIONS BLOG PERSPECTIVES CONSORTIUM Search RESOURCES Macro- and Micro-Political Vernaculizations of Rights: Human Rights and Abortion Discourses in BLOG POSTS Northern Ireland UK Abortion Help for NI Women Offers a Decriminalization and Women’s Access to Abortion in Australia Partial Solution Drug Pricing Executive Order: Likely Win for Exploring Legal Restrictions, Pharma WHO Budget Commitments Disappoint Global Regulatory Reform, and Geographic Health Advocates New WHO Director-General Embraces Disparities in Abortion Access in Universal Coverage, Cancer Focus Urged Thailand PAPERS IN PRESS on JUNE 2, 2017 · in VOLUME 19, NUMBER 1 The Cholera Epidemic in Zimbabwe, 2008- Grady Arnott, Grace Sheehy, Orawee Chinthakanan, and Angel M.