As someone who was raised in the church, I was taught that “abortion is murder”. This phrase was repeatedly heard from Christians in my circle and on Family Life Radio. However, the discussions about abortion were never balanced. It was always viewed as murder, and nobody questioned it. If anyone tried to raise any doubts or push back, they were quickly silenced. Even today in 2024, it’s difficult to talk about the nuances of abortion, the need for choice, or the fact that abortion is healthcare with religious people who are anti-abortion.

It’s a challenging belief to deconstruct for those who were raised to believe that abortion is murder. However, humanity needs to understand that reproductive choice is crucial for the health, well-being, and autonomy of women worldwide. In this blog post, discover why abortion must be understood and prioritized as an essential component of comprehensive healthcare, backed by examples that prove its significance.

1. Promoting Women’s Health:

Access to safe and legal abortion services is a crucial aspect of women’s healthcare as it enables them to make informed decisions regarding their bodies, pregnancies, and futures. Denying women access to abortion services puts their health and lives at risk, as evidenced by numerous medical scenarios, such as ectopic pregnancies, severe fetal abnormalities, and maternal health conditions. Every year, an estimated 7.9 million infants are born with serious birth defects, of which an estimated 3.2 million are disabled for life. While some of these congenital defects are treatable, others may not be. Additionally, one in fifty pregnancies in the United States are ectopic.

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2. Preventing Maternal Mortality:

Unsafe abortion remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide. It is estimated that 47,000 women each year worldwide die because of unsafe abortions.  In regions where abortion is restricted or inaccessible, women resort to clandestine and often dangerous methods to terminate unwanted pregnancies, risking their lives in the process. By ensuring access to safe abortion services, healthcare systems can prevent unnecessary maternal deaths and complications, thereby fulfilling their primary mandate of preserving life and well-being.

3. Reproductive Justice:

Reproductive justice encompasses not just the right to abortion but also the broader socio-economic factors that influence reproductive decision-making. For many women, the ability to access abortion services is intertwined with issues of poverty, discrimination, lack of healthcare access, and systemic inequalities. By recognizing abortion as healthcare, policymakers, and healthcare providers can work towards dismantling these barriers and advancing reproductive justice for all women, regardless of their socio-economic status or background.

4.  Respecting Bodily Autonomy:

Central to healthcare is the principle of bodily autonomy—the right of individuals to make decisions about their bodies and health without interference or coercion. Denying women access to abortion infringes upon this fundamental right, relegating them to mere vessels of reproduction rather than autonomous agents capable of making informed choices about their reproductive lives. Upholding abortion rights is thus essential for safeguarding women’s autonomy and dignity.

5.  Preventing Trauma and Suffering:

Unintended pregnancies can have profound emotional, psychological, and socio-economic ramifications for women and their families. Forcing women to carry unwanted pregnancies to term against their will can perpetuate cycles of poverty, exacerbate mental health conditions, and inflict unnecessary trauma and suffering. Access to abortion provides women with the opportunity to make decisions that align with their circumstances and values, thereby mitigating potential harm.

6.  Supporting Comprehensive Healthcare:

Healthcare is not just about treating illnesses but also about providing comprehensive services that address the diverse needs of individuals throughout their lives. Abortion care is an integral component of reproductive healthcare, alongside contraception, prenatal care, and postpartum support. By integrating abortion services into mainstream healthcare provision, healthcare systems can better meet the diverse needs of women and ensure holistic and patient-centered care.

In conclusion, abortion is undeniably healthcare—a vital service that protects women’s health, autonomy, and rights. By recognizing and affirming abortion rights, we uphold the principles of justice, autonomy, and dignity for all individuals, regardless of gender. It’s time to move beyond the rhetoric and embrace abortion as an essential component of comprehensive healthcare for women worldwide.

The author generated this text in part with GPT-3, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model. Upon generating draft language, the author reviewed, edited, and revised the language to their own liking and takes ultimate responsibility for the content of this publication.