One report on abortion and contraception, but many nuances
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A new analysis from the research- and policy-focused Guttmacher Institute -- committed to sexual and reproductive health around the world -- highlights the trends in safe and unsafe abortions. The numbers are just part of the story. So too are the reasons for those changes.
Headlines can’t explain everything but, taken as a whole, they can be revealing nonetheless.
From Reuters: Unsafe abortions kill 70000 a year, harm millions
From Fox News: Abortion rights group: Unsafe abortions kill 70,000 per year From NPR: Report shows fewer abortions worldwide
From BBC News: Bans ‘do not cut abortion rate’
From Toronto’s Globe and Mail: Moving away from abortion
Now here’s the actual report, Abortion Worldwide: A Decade of Uneven Progress, examining the changes in the legality, safety and accessibility of abortions. It makes a point of stating that the relationship between abortion and contraception can’t be ignored.
Among the summary’s key data points:
--The number of abortions worldwide fell from an estimated 45.5 million in 1995 to 41.6 million in 2003. The estimated number of unsafe abortions changed little during this period — from 19.9 million to 19.7 million — and almost all occurred in developing countries.--The global rate of unintended pregnancy declined from 69 per 1,000 women aged 15-44 in 1995 to 55 per 1,000 in 2008. The decline was greatest in the more developed world.--Since 1997, 22 countries or administrative areas within countries have changed their abortion laws; in 19 cases, the criteria under which abortion is permitted were broadened, and in three cases the criteria were narrowed. Nonetheless, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, abortion remains highly restricted.
-- Tami Dennis