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Thousands of Indonesian women experience unwanted pregnancies
A woman holds her pregnant belly
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A woman holds her pregnant belly. (tribunnews.com) (tribunnews.com)
A woman holds her pregnant belly. (tribunnews.com)
More than 32,000 Indonesian women experienced unwanted pregnancies between 2010 and 2014, one of the highest figures among ASEAN countries, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO).
'As of this year, cases related to the deaths of women who had unsafe abortions are still very high. That's why we sought to aid those who suffered from unwanted pregnancies. We're trying to fulfill their rights on wanting or not wanting the pregnancy,' said Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association (PKBI) chairman Sarsanto Wibisono Sarwono on Friday, as quoted by tribunnews.com.
In an effort to provide necessary medical treatment for women who experience unwanted pregnancies, the PKBI has urged the Health Ministry to issue a dedicated regulation on safe and responsible abortion services.
However, PKBI secretary Ramona Sari said, the organization applied strict requirements in accordance with Government Regulation No. 61/2014, which states that abortion remains prohibited in most cases, unless the mother's life is in danger or in the case of rape.
'[The PKBI], along with the government, clearly doesn't support abortion. But we want to provide [the necessary] services to prevent the death of Indonesian women [due to abortion],' said Ramona Sari.
She added that over 32 percent of women who came to the PKBI to access unwanted pregnancy services had previously tried to conduct an abortion in a non-medical way.
'Of course, [these kinds of abortions] are dangerous for them. That's why we also give them counseling on pregnancy,' said Ramona. (kes)
