Abortion in Bhutan is only legal when the abortion is a result of rape, incest, to preserve the woman's mental health, or to save her life.[1] Despite this, the United Nations report on abortion notes that the exact status of the country's abortion law is uncertain: "Because the state religion of Bhutan is Buddhism, which disapproves of abortion, it is probable that the procedure is allowed only to save the life of the pregnant woman."[2]
Impact
[edit]Since abortions are difficult for women to obtain in Bhutan, they often cross the border into India, where they get abortions in unsafe conditions.[1] The danger and resulting fatalities has led many people to push for the legalization and decriminalization of abortion for Bhutanese women.[3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Bhutan". Women on Waves. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ^ "Bhutan". United Nations Abortion Policies.
- ^ Pelden, Sonam (29 July 2011). "Should abortion be legalized?". Bhutan Observer. Archived from the original on 6 December 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2014.