Abortion Rights in Guyana
March 14, 2008
The National Assembly of Guyana passed The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Bill on 4th May 1995. Guyana became the first county in South America to have liberal abortion laws. The Guyana Medical Association issued a televise news release supporting the new law and providing public information and discouraging women from relying on the “red and black” capsules [ampicillin], folk medicines or herbal mixtures as methods of inducing abortion.
The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act was enacted for two major purposes; to augment the attainment of safe motherhood by eliminating the deaths and complications associated with unsafe abortion and to enhance the dignity and sanctity of life by reducing the incidents of induced abortion.
The abortion policy or grounds on which abortion is permitted are to save the life of the woman, to preserve physical health, to preserve mental health, rape/incest, fetal impairment and economic and social reasons. The authorization of a panel of physicians is required for performing and induced abortion.
The Ministry of Health has produced a comprehensive report based on the information as follows: there is a high rate of repeat abortions and no counseling, the balance of power between women and doctors providing abortions has been altered by the new law and within 6mths there was a 41% reduction in hospital admissions for septic and abortions. The Georgetown Public Hospital contemplated taking action but the Ministry of health gives greater consideration to the West Demerara where much unused space was available.
The laws of many countries, particularly those that experienced colonization by European countries and are influenced by religious doctrines, continue to view abortion only as a criminal offense. Some countries criminal laws punish them for willful taking of human life.
However, the religious community believed that abortion is a sin against us, abortion is a sin against another human being not just any human being, and it’s the ultimate sin against the innocence. Abortion – commonly used is “murder”. Rights are certainly violated, but whose rights are we really talking about and why?
The sad truth is that hundreds of thousands of women undergo unwanted abortions every year to please someone or because of pressure and coercion by their sexual partners, parents, social workers, councilors, employers and school administrators. Isn’t the fetus a part of the human being and has full human rights to live and be protected? There are free health care clinics, businesses, hospitals, educational intuitions that give contraceptives, condoms and counseling for a purpose. Does it allow free pre-martial sex as long as it is agreed upon by two adults/teenagers? Why cant there be a pure chaste community where women and men are modest? It is thus, free from aids, herpes and other evil epidemics that became rampant in modern free sex communities!
The Holy Bible says, “Thou shall not kill, and whosoever shall kill shall be in the danger on the Day of Judgment” [Matthew 5:21].
The holy Quran says in [chapter 17,verse 31] “kill not your children for fear of want, it is we who provide sustenance for them as well as for u, for verily killing them is the greatest sin.
Apsana
Comments
9 Responses to “Abortion Rights in Guyana”
Got something to say?
Yes, you are right Apsana, but that is looking at it from a religious point of view.
After reading the blogs on this site one would think Guyana is a hopeless place to live and the current government is probably worst than a dictatorship. If that is the case then why bring a life into this world to live under those conditions?
Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying I support either. To each his own choice. I’m only trying to look at this from both perspectives.
I am pro-choice; whether that choice is to go left or right.
Apsana, no one knows what they are going to do unless they are faced with that situation regardless of all the religious and psychological point of views people try to wrap around it.
Those of you who do know what your choices will be, I’m happy for you all.
Guyanese girls age 10-15 are having sex and abortion rather than pursuing their education in many cases.The accessibility of contraceptives and condoms would prevent unwanted pregnancies and diseases. However it’s a major problem in most secondary schools in Guyana not opting to teach sexual education as a subject.Parents and teachers both educate the children but often you would hear young girls saying its my life,its my body,my parents dont own me, i want to have my first experience now and i can do whatever i want.on a normal school day over 60 school girls you can find having sex at No.63 beach, Scottsburg beach and back seat in mini busses and tapirs in Moleson Creek.
That’s very sad, but it’s not happening only in Guyana. Television has been a big influence in people’s lives, but not so much in a positive way.
That is a very stupid decisision for the government not to offer sexual education as a subject. It’s an essential part of the curriculum. Why would they not offer it?
Even if Sexual Education is being taught in school, students already think thay they are educated and experienced enough and with the accessibility to prevention methods is a bonus, encouraging the students to practice safe sex from an early age and often rather than abstain form sexual activities.
Reader, yes - that’s the whole point of the SexEd class, not to preach abstinence, but to encourage safe sex also for those getting their feet wet.
I agree, Trevor. Just because it is taught in class does not mean kids will go having wild sex. I was taught this in 3rd grade at the age of 8, turning 9. Does it mean I had sex at that age? No. It just means that I knew the dangers of unprotected sex, and I knew how to protect myself when I was old enough to experience it.
In this case, education is key.
I also believe in a woman’s choice. Just like a child growing up, the parents know best for themselves and their children, and this is what we should assume. We can’t go around policing people saying who can have babies and who can’t. That is simply going into territory we are not ready to go back into.
I also believe a great deal of the population that believes in pro-life is basing that on religion, and we cannot and and should not be goverened on religion, which is a personal preference.
Sunil and Trevor, do you live in Guyana? Have you been there recently? Well im living in Guyana and im sharing with i see happening everyday.Sexual education is being taught for the elderly also in business places and instutions yet elderly men tend to rape and kill innocent girls age 9-14. Teenage girls in Guyana- they know the right from the wrong and yet they believed that they are older and experience enough to do as they pleses.Why do you think that Guyana, Trinidad and Jamaica have the highest Aids rate and Abortions each year? Guyana also have the highest suicide rate- as long as a child want to do something and the parents educate them or say no they commit suicide.So i guess what you’re saying its ok to give them contpaceptives and tell them go have safe sex and yet there would be unfortunate events which would destroys lives.This is not the year and time you grew up in.please to go Guyana and see for yourselves what’s happening.Prostituting location: St.Georges Cathedral.
I agree with Abdul..Being liberal in thought is a great thing.. Reality however differs greatly. ..When your kids are involved your perception tends to be more conflicting..Don’t you agree Sunil and Trevor?