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Manila Bulletin

Philippines

Advocates urge candidates to support Decriminalization of Abortion Bill

Philippines

Advocates urge candidates to support Decriminalization of Abortion Bill

By Gabriela Baron

Aspirants for national elective posts in the 2022 elections were urged to support the Decriminalization of Abortion Bill after presidential candidates were asked about their stance on abortion.

(NOEL PABALATE / MANILA BULLETIN)

"We are glad that decriminalization of abortion is one of the top election issues and candidates are being asked about their stand on this," Clara Rita Padilla, spokesperson of the Philippine Safe Abortion Advocacy Network (PINSAN) said.

Padilla is also the drafter of the Decriminalization of Abortion Bill launched in September 2020.

According to PINSAN, at least three women die every day from complications from unsafe abortion and it is one of the five leading causes of maternal death and hospitalizations of women and girls.

Padilla added that one in eight women and girls who induce abortion are rape survivors.

"A minor rape survivor who is forced to carry a pregnancy to term may die from the pregnancy and childbirth because such early pregnancies are risky," she stressed.

In 2020, PINSAN said there was an estimated 1.26 million Filipino women, girls, and persons with diverse gender identities who induced abortion unsafely due to lack of access to safe abortion.

"Decriminalizing abortion will save the lives of women, girls, and persons with diverse gender identities. We urge candidates and voters to support the Decriminalization of Abortion Bill," Padilla said.

"Women's issues including access to safe abortion is integral part of human rights and justice issues. Presidential aspirants cannot speak of human rights without clear plans to addressing violations to women's bodily autonomy and integrity," Marevic Parcon, Executive Director of the Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights, added.

Related Tags

Decriminalization of Abortion Bill 2022 national and local polls

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