By taking down barriers to abortion, we believe we can make it easier for a woman to make her own decision about what’s best for her future.
We know that access to safe abortion can support women and pregnant people to pursue their education, careers and futures. When women are unable to access abortion, it can have serious consequences.
Marie Stopes International works in 37 countries to deliver its mission and we are committed to making sure that every woman who needs an abortion can access one. That’s why we provide waivers to clients who cannot afford care, to help address some of the financial barriers to safe abortion. However, a shift in government policy is also needed. Governments across the world should offer a full range of sexual and reproductive health services, including safe abortion, as a part of universal healthcare coverage.
The Turnaway Study: the impact of the law on women’s finances
Recently, the Turnaway Study researched the impact of laws around gestational limits — the legal time period that women can access abortion — on women’s finances in the United States. It found that women denied an abortion due to gestational limits were 81% more likely to face bankruptcy or eviction than those who were able to get an abortion. Women denied an abortion were also 76% more likely to be in debt. Although this study was conducted in the United States, we’ve seen similar stories on how abortion access can affect a woman’s finances, globally.
Olivia Jardin, Senior Communications Advisor at Marie Stopes International, explains how abortion can support women to pursue their education and careers, and how restrictive laws make it harder for women to control their own futures.
Read more at this link: Abortion is an economic issue.