Abortion Legalization - A Matter Of Social Justice And Human

abortion Legalization- A Matter of Social Justice and Human Rights From religious beliefs on morality, social backgrounds on ethics, and societal stereotypes, abortion has been for a long time considered a crime in many parts of the world — the debates associated with the issue focus on its right and wrongs

Abortion remains one of the most controversial and divisive issues worldwide, intertwined with debates surrounding morality, legal rights, social justice, and human rights. Historically, many societies have considered abortion as morally wrong or even criminal, often rooted in religious, cultural, and traditional beliefs. Religious doctrines, especially Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, generally uphold the sanctity of life, asserting that life begins at conception and that terminating a pregnancy is akin to murder. Consequently, these religious perspectives significantly influence societal attitudes and laws concerning abortion (Ertürk et al., 2013).

However, in recent decades, there has been a global movement towards recognizing abortion as a fundamental human right, emphasizing reproductive autonomy, gender equality, and social justice. Many advocates argue that restricting access to abortion disproportionately impacts marginalized groups, such as low-income women, women in rural areas, and those in oppressive societal contexts. They contend that women should have the right to make decisions about their bodies and pregnancies without government interference, framing abortion as a matter of personal liberty and social justice (WHO, 2020).

Background Information concerning Abortion in Society

Data from the Guttmacher Institute (2017) indicates that abortion incidence varies significantly across nations, influenced heavily by legal, social, and healthcare frameworks. In developed countries like the United States, the number of abortions has declined over recent years due to increased contraceptive use and improved sex education, yet access remains contested politically and socially. Conversely, in many developing regions, restrictive laws and social stigma lead to unsafe, clandestine abortions, causing significant health risks and fatalities among women (Sedgh et al., 2016).

In countries with liberal abortion laws, safety and accessibility are higher; yet, barriers such as societal stigma still prevent many women from seeking safe procedures. Conversely, in countries with restrictive laws, women often resort to unsafe methods, resulting in approximately 13% of maternal deaths linked to unsafe abortions (World Health Organization, 2019). These legal disparities underscore the importance of recognizing abortion as a social justice issue, since restrictive policies violate women’s reproductive rights and threaten their health and lives.

Arguments Supporting the Legalization of Abortion

The legalization of abortion is grounded in the recognition of women’s reproductive rights and the necessity to safeguard their health and well-being. Restrictive laws compel women to seek unsafe, illegal abortions, which can lead to severe health complications or death (Ganatra et al., 2017). Legal access to abortion allows women to make informed decisions about their pregnancies, supporting gender equality and social justice.

From a moral perspective, opponents often argue that abortion is equivalent to murder because it terminates potential human life. However, scientific evidence indicates that a fetus does not attain personhood until viability or later, and its classification as a human being is a moral and philosophical debate rather than an absolute biological fact (Robertson, 2015). Furthermore, denying women the right to choose over their reproductive health infringes upon their autonomy and bodily integrity—a core principle in human rights frameworks.

Economic and social factors also underscore the necessity of abortion rights. Unplanned pregnancies can trap women in cycles of poverty, hinder educational and employment opportunities, and perpetuate social inequalities (Sedgh & Hussain, 2014). For marginalized women, access to safe abortion services is essential for social mobility and equality. Denying this right perpetuates systemic injustices and inequalities, highlighting that abortion is fundamentally a social justice issue.

Impact of Restrictive Laws and the Importance of Legal Access

Research demonstrates that restrictive abortion laws do not decrease the number of abortions but increase the incidence of unsafe procedures, which account for thousands of maternal deaths annually (WHO, 2019). In contrast, liberal laws enable safe, regulated services, significantly reducing health risks for women. Countries that have liberalized abortion laws tend to show a decline in abortion-related mortality and morbidity (Ganatra et al., 2017).

Furthermore, restrictive policies often exacerbate stigma and social exclusion of women who seek abortions, impeding access and fostering discrimination. Legal reform is essential to uphold women’s rights, reduce health disparities, and promote social justice. Ensuring access to safe abortion services aligns with human rights treaties and frameworks that advocate for reproductive rights and gender equality (UN Human Rights Council, 2018).

Conclusion

Abortion should be recognized as a critical issue of social justice and human rights. Women must have the autonomy to decide whether and when to have children, free from governmental restrictions and societal stigmas. Legal access to abortion is essential to protect women’s health, promote gender equality, and uphold their fundamental human rights. Society and policymakers should prioritize removing unnecessary restrictions and ensuring safe, accessible abortion services to address this complex and deeply personal issue ethically and compassionately.

References

• Ertürk, G., Beşer, C., & Yıldız, M. (2013). The impact of religious beliefs on attitudes toward abortion. Journal of Religion and Health, 52(4), 1383-1391.
• Guttmacher Institute. (2017). Abortion worldwide: Global, regional, and national estimates. Guttmacher Institute.
• Ganatra, B., Gerdts, C., Ross, J., Tunçalp, Ö., Assifi, A., Magin, C., ... & Say, L. (2017). Global, regional, and subregional relationships between health system responsiveness and maternal mortality: ecological analysis. The Lancet Global Health, 5(12), e1199-e1207.
• Sedgh, G., & Hussain, R. (2014). Factors affecting the incidence of induced abortion in developing countries. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 40(1), 31-39.
• Sedgh, G., Bearak, J., Singh, S., et al. (2016). Abortion incidence between 1990 and 2014: widespread, worldwide, and progressive. The Lancet, 388(10041), 258-267.
• UN Human Rights Council. (2018). Reproductive rights as human rights. Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to health.
• World Health Organization. (2019). Clinical practice handbook for safe abortion. WHO Press.
• WHO. (2020). The right to sexual and reproductive health. World Health Organization.
• Robertson, J. (2015). Legal change and stigma in surrogacy and abortion. The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 43(2), 330-342.
• Ertürk, G., Beşer, C., & Yıldız, M. (2013). The impact of religious beliefs on attitudes toward abortion. Journal of Religion and Health, 52(4), 1383-1391.