Abortion...a reality

World Population Foundation-Pakistan held an interactive forums under its programme of advocacy on “Abortions…a reality” on 26th March 2008 in Islamabad. Ms. Feryal Ali Gohar a leading Pakistani television anchor, cinematographer, writer, social commentator and reproductive rights facilitated the forum.

Every year 80, 000 women, unable to cope with un wanted pregnancies die due to unsafe abortions worldwide. Abortion is restricted in Pakistan, yet many women decide to terminate their unintended pregnancies due to several reasons. The lack of access to contraceptive services, un skilled health practitioners who do not provide proper counseling to women, misconceptions about using contraceptives, male control over women due to which they cannot decide the size of their family, interference of in laws and etc are generally the reasons why women cannot adopt safe practices for family planning.

To talk about the issue and various causes related to it, WPF held an interactive forum with Ms. Feryal Gohar. Video screening of a documentary filmed and produced by Ms. Gohar followed by a discussion session took place in the forum. The film, titles as, “The Silence Within" shares the tragic burden of unwanted pregnancies and abortion stigma among poor couples in rural and urban areas of Pakistan.  Many of these wives, often with their husband's support, seek out unsafe abortions and risk their health and lives.  Filmed in Pakistan's four provinces, the stories of these women and men, shared openly in their own voices, remind us of how vulnerable couples are to daily unplanned pregnancies and to the failure of society, health services and communities to help avoid them. 

Ms. Gohar talking about the issue said that irrespective of the fact whether or not women are aware of the contraceptives, the problem lies in two factors. One is that they have problems accessing the contraceptives due to inadequate availability of services as well as the fact that they don’t have the ability to take their own decisions. The decisions related to their reproductive choices are mostly taken by their husbands and mothers in law. She further said that the meaning of sex for women is seen in the light of reproductive process only. It has got nothing to do with pleasure for women. And those who enjoy sex are considered to be women without any morals. And therefore without taking up the issue of SRHR it is impossible to change the current practices. Moreover when a woman dies, her significance is valued in relation to her house hold responsibilities only. The fact that she used to look after the cattle, go to the fields, take care of family and house is all that matters. Her own self, personality and desires are out of the picture. It is very important to enlarge women’s significance beyond reproductively.

Mr. Mannan, Child and Adolescents Protection Specialist, UNICEF shared the view that if we talk about empowerment of women, it is very important to inculcate skills to girls at very early age rather than educating married women with children. As the married women due to several responsibilities and poverty have their own dynamics. Education to be provided to young girls should be community based and not school based as a large number of girls is still out of school.

Concluding the forum, Mr. Qadeer Baig, Country Representative WPF said that Mr. Qadeer Baig concluded the forum saying documentary was certainly very powerful. After seeing this we can again say that SRHR education has become an immense need to cut down various social diseases. It is a taboo in our society however; keeping in mind the social issue that we have today we all need to be open about it and should take one step forward now. Today media has expanded a lot and it can play a very effective role in this regard. Recently WPF has started negotiating different electronic channels to carry forward the issue of SRHR and spread awareness to general masses. We take up the responsibility to design a programme on this very issue using our resources.

Based on the findings of the documentary he said that economic empowerment is very important for women. This will help them take their own decisions.

Several other organizations like, World Bank, Rozan, PNAC and RHAID also participated the forum.