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  barriers to abortion.

In this first episode, Menaka Rao goes to villages in Azamgarh where women have little or no options for legal abortions. Blind alley abortions are common, with unqualified doctors or quacks offering abortion, putting the women’s lives at risk. What is it like to undergo such a risky abortion procedure? Menaka speaks with three women who underwent these procedures and hears their stories. 

This podcast was supported by the Pulitzer Center

If you want to listen to the voices of the women in Hindi, here is the link

Show notes

Gramin Punarnirman Sansthan

Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act of 2021

Abortion: Safety

Clinical practice handbook for quality abortion care

https://prsindia.org/files/bills_acts/bills_parliament/2020/Medical%20Termination%20of%20Pregnancy%20(Amendment)%20Rules,%202021.pdf

The incidence of abortion and unintended pregnancy in India, 2015 - The Lancet Global Health