Matter of Choice: When seeking abortion is confused for sex selection

What prevents women from seeking safe, legal abortions? Studies show that the awareness about abortion and its legality is very low among people. To add to the confusion, the implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994 or PCPNDT Act which makes sex selection i…

Matter of Choice: How getting an abortion is linked to contraceptive use

How getting an abortion is linked to contraceptive use How a person seeking abortion is treated often relates to their contraception history. When someone seeks abortion, the health system discriminates against those who take temporary contraceptives or no contraceptives at all. The public health …

Matter of Choice: The problem with seeking abortion after turning single

This episode explores the barriers faced by women who are pregnant before they turn single, either by widowhood or marital separation, or any other reason. This is the third episode of a series Matter of Choice, a series that explores how women face medical, legal and social barriers to abortions. …

Matter of Choice: Why women seeking abortions in Delhi go from doctor to doctor

This is the second episode of a series Matter of Choice, a series that explores how women face medical, legal and social barriers to abortions. This episode is based in Delhi where despite facilities, women are given a run-around for abortions. In this episode, Menaka Rao speaks to three women who …

Matter of Choice: Abortions inaccessible, how these women suffered

Abortion is legal in India with certain conditions. But it is  hard to access in many parts of the country, especially in rural India. An estimated eight women die everyday from abortions in India. This series called - Matter of Choice- will explore how women face medical, legal and social  barrier…

Year in the life of a former death convict

It has been more than a year since the Supreme court released Narayan Chetanram Chaudhary in March 2023. Narayan was convicted along with his co-accused for gruesome murders in Pune and sentenced to death. But after 28 years of jail, the Supreme court released him as per the Juvenile Justice Act af…

Punjab Reverse Migration: Reality or Hype?

Punjabis are infamous for their obsession with migrating abroad, especially to Canada. There’s a saying among diaspora Punjabis that goes, “Jitthe assi, utthe Punjab,” meaning “We create Punjab wherever we go.” But, in the recent past, a new narrative of ‘Vatan vaapsi’ or ‘Reverse Migration’ has ta…

Gone to the dogs: Rabies control and street dog welfare in India

Recently, a father and his son died in Visakhapatnam after their pet dog bit them. Reports say that they did not take the anti-rabies vaccine soon enough. Rabies is one of the oldest zoonotic diseases. People are often bitten by street dogs, who are present in great numbers in both cities, and vil…

Delhi Water Crisis: How can interstate water disputes be resolved?

Owing to the water shortage in Delhi, the state’s Water Minister Atishi began an indefinite fast on June 21 demanding water for the national capital. The Delhi state government said that it has not got its share of Yamuna water, and there is an urgent need for a sustainable solution. The debate ov…

Why is India barely reporting heat wave deaths?

At least 33 people died in heatwave during the 2024 General Election's last phase in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha. The people who died include polling officials. The average heat related mortality has increased by 85% in 2013-22 as compared with 1991-2001. Excess heat can cause:  Cardiac relate…