Cited: CNN

The number of abortions performed around the world fell last year, however, the number of unsafe abortions rose. The rate for abortions in 2008 was about 28 for every 1000 women, which is down from figures near 35 per thousand and 29 per thousand just a few years ago. The number of abortions considered to be unsafe during the same period increased to 49% in 2008, from 44% previously.

In a study conducted by The Lancet, most of the abortions worldwide are taking place in the developing world, up to 78% in previous surveys and now as high as 86%. And as might be expected, the number of unsafe abortions in these countries is also on the rise. The Lancet describes an unsafe abortion as one that is performed by a person lacking the necessary medical training and in an unsafe environment that does not meet minimum medical standards.

The data leaves many health experts concerned about the trend in unsafe abortions and has them wondering how and why these numbers are increasing and of course, what to do about them. The news is especially troubling considering that groups such as the World Health Organization (WHO) has been promoting and implementing policies to reduce the number of abortions as are many national governments. But they fear that stigmatizing and condemning and especially criminalizing abortions and those who choose to have an abortion could be underlying the increase seen in the unsafe abortions taking place worldwide. Some see it as setback to the times when pregnant women would seek out unqualified people in the worst of environments to get an abortion for fear of being exposed and ostracized. 

Experts warn that the number of abortions will remain at high levels as will the number of unsafe abortions if modern contraception is not more readily available to developing countries and if family planning services do not make deeper inroads into these countries.

My take:

It sounds like women are being driven from the clinic to the backrooms again because of the mass movement by certain groups to have abortion and access to abortion services dramatically reduced worldwide. In many countries, their corrupt leaders receive aid as long as they go along with extremist policies from their backers to ban abortions and other family planning services in their countries.

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