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 1. Opinion
 2. Column


FARQUHAR: DON'T TAKE ABORTION RIGHTS IN CANADA FOR GRANTED

None of us thought we would see the United States legally allow women to die
because they cannot access a medical service

Author of the article:
Ruth Farquhar Columnist
Published Feb 05, 2024  • Last Updated 5 days ago  •  3 minute read
Demonstration in support of abortion rights in the United States on the
boardwalk in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., on June 4, 2022. (BRIAN KELLY/THE SAULT
STAR/POSTMEDIA NETWORK)

Every day I read or hear about another woman who is attempting to obtain an
abortion in the United States and cannot get one. It doesn’t matter if their
lives would be in danger to carry the pregnancy to term or that the baby will
not be viable or the woman is pregnant from a sexual assault or incest. If the
woman has resources, she might be able to leave her home state and travel to
find access but unfortunately, not everyone can do that.

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DISTROSCALE



Since the overturn of Roe vs. Wade, 24 states have banned abortions although
some are pending due to legal challenges. This is despite polls suggesting that
the majority of Americans agree that legal abortion should be available to some
degree. They also disagree with the court overturning Roe v Wade.



According to The Guardian, nearly 65,000 rape-related pregnancies likely
occurred in 14 states with near-to-total abortion bans. Yet just 10 legal
abortions are performed monthly on average in these states. Texas alone
accounted for as much as 45 per cent of that number because of its large
population and total ban without exceptions.



Just think about that. Put yourself in the shoes of a woman who was raped: If
dealing with that trauma isn’t enough, she realizes she is pregnant and cannot
access an abortion. She is forced to carry the pregnancy to term unless she can
travel out of state to obtain one. However, there is absolutely financial help
for this woman.

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As a matter of fact, in the states that have banned or heavily restricted
abortions, they tend to have higher rates of uninsurance for women ages 19-64.
Women in these states have less access to health care and financial assistance.
Republican opposition has prevented Congress from passing nationwide measures
like federally protected family leave and an extended child tax credit. This
leaves it up to each state.



So gee, you are forced to carry an unwanted pregnancy but you will have
absolutely no help while you are pregnant or any help financially following the
birth. Abortion-ban states have some of the highest child poverty rates in the
nation, according to the Centre of American Progress.



So why am I writing about what is going on in the States? Well, to me, it
doesn’t matter where you live or if it is happening to you to feel empathy for
the women and girls who live in these states. The governments in these states do
not care that women could die due to these draconian measures. They don’t care
that children will be born into poverty and unwanted. They do nothing to offer
support.

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Another reason I am writing about this is because we have a federal Conservative
party that the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC) has designated as
anti-choice. So am I fear-mongering to suggest they may try to bring in some
draconian laws on abortion if they get into power? I bet that women in the
United States never thought they would have to deal with policies that could
kill them, either.



We are the only country in the world where abortion is free of legal
restrictions and designated as a medical service. Don’t fool yourselves, though,
it still isn’t easy to access abortions in Canada, especially if you live in
remote or conservative parts of the country.



This issue is not about saving the lives of babies, it’s about controlling
women. If it was about saving babies, there would be supports in place to care
for the children once they are born.



So please, when you are deciding who to vote for in the next federal election,
quiz your candidates about their stance on this issue. Remember, none of us ever
thought that we would see the United States legally allow women to die because
they cannot access a medical service.



Ruth Farquhar is a freelance writer based in Manitoulin Island.



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