Study Reveals Abortion Challenges for Women in Pakistan
A recent study has highlighted significant challenges faced by women in Pakistan regarding abortion and reproductive health. The study, titled “Findings: Safeguarding Women’s Health: Trends, Inequities, and Opportunities in Pakistan’s Abortion and Post-Abortion Care Services,” reveals that approximately 66 out of every 1,000 women of reproductive age (15-49) in Pakistan undergo induced abortions. Unfortunately, 21-30% of these women experience complications.
The study, conducted by the Population Council in collaboration with the Guttmacher Institute, shows that women in rural areas are more affected than those in urban or wealthier regions. A notable 17.3% of women report an unmet need for family planning, leading to unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions.
Despite a decrease in abortion-related complications from 13.9 per 1,000 women in 2012 to 11.7 per 1,000 in 2023, disparities remain. The study arrives at a crucial time as Pakistan faces reproductive health challenges, with a population growth rate of 2.55% per annum and stagnant contraceptive use.
Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, Coordinator to the Pakistan PM on National Health Services, emphasized the government’s commitment to improving healthcare access for women, especially in marginalized areas. Plans include investing in infrastructure, capacity building, and enhancing emergency response capabilities to strengthen reproductive health services nationwide.
Doubts Revealed
Induced abortions -: Induced abortions are when a pregnancy is ended on purpose, usually through medical or surgical means. This is different from a miscarriage, which happens naturally.
Complications -: Complications are problems that can happen during or after a medical procedure, like an abortion. These can include infections, heavy bleeding, or other health issues.
Rural women -: Rural women are women who live in the countryside or villages, away from big cities. They often have less access to healthcare and other services compared to women in urban areas.
Unmet family planning needs -: Unmet family planning needs mean that women want to avoid or delay having children but do not have access to birth control or other family planning services.
Unsafe abortions -: Unsafe abortions are procedures to end a pregnancy that are done by people who are not trained or in places that are not safe, which can lead to health risks.
Reproductive health services -: Reproductive health services include medical care and information related to having babies, preventing pregnancies, and staying healthy in these areas.
Marginalized areas -: Marginalized areas are places where people might not have the same access to resources, like healthcare or education, as others. These areas often need more support and attention.