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the Turkish Constitutional Court confirms that its decision in the R.G. case,
which affirmed a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy resulting from a
criminal act, demonstrates the court's commitment to upholding
reproductive justice principles despite the country's shifting political
landscape. Reproductive rights are still protected in the country despite
the withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention in the name of protecting the
traditional understanding of families. We know that we were the first
country to sign the Istanbul Convention and the first and only country to
withdraw from the treaty, a decision that was widely criticized as a
regressive step for women's rights in the country. However, our
Constitutional Court has continued to play a vital role in protecting
reproductive rights despite the government's conservative approach.
Why is abortion such a big problem all over the world?
Abortion is a significant issue globally due to various factors that
contribute to its complexity and controversy. Some key reasons why
abortion is a major concern worldwide include:
Reproductive Rights and Autonomy: Abortion intersects with
fundamental human rights, particularly women's rights to make
decisions about their bodies and reproductive health. The debate
often revolves around the autonomy of individuals to choose
whether to continue a pregnancy.
Health and Safety: Access to safe and legal abortion services is
crucial for protecting the health and lives of women and pregnant
individuals. Restrictive abortion laws can lead to unsafe abortions,
which pose serious health risks and can result in maternal mortality.
Social Stigma and Discrimination: Abortion is often stigmatized in
many societies, leading to discrimination against women who seek
abortion services. This stigma can prevent individuals from
accessing necessary healthcare and support.
Legal and Policy Frameworks: Diverse legal frameworks around
abortion exist globally, ranging from countries that allow abortion on
request to those that prohibit it entirely. These legal variations
contribute to disparities in access to safe and legal abortion
services.
Religious and Ethical Beliefs: Abortion is a complex ethical and
moral issue influenced by religious beliefs, cultural norms, and
personal values. Differing perspectives on when life begins and the
rights of the foetus versus the rights of the pregnant person
contribute to the complexity of the debate.
Socioeconomic Factors: Access to abortion services is often
influenced by socioeconomic factors, such as income, education,
and geographic location. Inequities in access to healthcare services
can impact who can safely access abortion care.
Political and Legal Challenges: Abortion laws and policies are subject
to political debates and changes, leading to shifts in access to
services. Political ideologies, public opinion, and advocacy efforts
play a significant role in shaping abortion laws and regulations.
Overall, the multifaceted nature of abortion as a healthcare, legal,
ethical, and social issue contributes to its prominence as a
significant and contentious topic worldwide. The complexities
surrounding abortion highlight the need for comprehensive and
rights-based approaches to address the diverse challenges and
considerations associated with reproductive healthcare and
autonomy.
What are some of the potential consequences of unsafe abortion
practices?
Some potential consequences of unsafe abortion practices, as
highlighted in the provided sources, include:
Maternal Mortality: Unsafe abortion is a significant cause of maternal
mortality globally, with an estimated 70,000 women dying annually
due to unsafe abortions. Most of these deaths occur in developing
regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and South-Central Asia.
Health Complications: Unsafe abortions can lead to severe health
complications for women, including bleeding, sepsis, uterine
perforation, and infections. These complications can result in
hospitalization, the need for blood transfusions, major surgeries, and
even hysterectomies.
Long-Term Health Effects: Women who survive unsafe abortions may
suffer from long-term health consequences, such as infertility,
chronic pain, and other reproductive health issues. These effects
can impact a woman's physical and emotional well-being.
Social and Economic Impact: Unsafe abortions can have broader
social and economic consequences. They can lead to lost
productivity, increased healthcare costs for treating complications,
and the emotional toll on families and communities affected by the
consequences of unsafe abortions.
Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Groups: Women from
disadvantaged backgrounds, including adolescents, rural women,
and those with limited access to healthcare, are more likely to resort
to unsafe abortion practices due to financial constraints or lack of
safe services. This exacerbates health disparities and inequalities in
access to reproductive healthcare.
Legal and Moral Challenges: Legal restrictions on abortion and moral
judgments surrounding abortion can further exacerbate the
consequences of unsafe practices. Women facing legal barriers or
social stigma may resort to unsafe methods out of desperation,
risking their lives in the process[4].
Global Public Health Concern: Unsafe abortion remains a pressing
public health issue globally, contributing significantly to maternal
mortality rates. Despite progress in reducing other causes of
maternal deaths, the dangers of unsafe abortion persist as a
preventable yet prevalent issue.
These consequences underscore the urgent need for comprehensive
reproductive healthcare services, access to safe and legal abortion,
and efforts to address the social, economic, and legal factors that
contribute to unsafe abortion practices and their detrimental effects
on women's health and well-being.
Is Turkey doing something against unsafe abortion?
Turkey has faced challenges related to unsafe abortion practices,
with reports indicating significant barriers to safe and accessible
abortion services in public hospitals. Despite abortion being legal in
Turkey since 1983, the de facto access to safe abortion services has
been limited, particularly in public healthcare facilities. The situation
has been exacerbated by political leaders' condemnatory
statements and restrictive practices, leading to a de facto ban on
free and safe abortion in public hospitals.
Efforts to address unsafe abortion in Turkey have been hindered by
various factors, including a lack of access to abortion services in
public hospitals, financial barriers for women seeking abortions, and
a complex regulatory environment that limits the provision of
abortion services. The situation is particularly challenging for
women from lower socio-economic backgrounds who face difficulties
in accessing safe and affordable abortion services.
In light of these challenges, it is evident that Turkey is struggling to
effectively address unsafe abortion practices, with significant
obstacles remaining in place that hinder women's access to safe
and legal abortion services. The de facto ban on free and safe
abortion in public hospitals, coupled with financial constraints and
limited availability of services, underscores the urgent need for
comprehensive measures to ensure women's reproductive rights
and access to safe healthcare services in Turkey.
The current ratio of teenage pregnancy in Turkey is 7.9%
based on a calculation from data provided by different
Turkish hospitals for the period between 2015 and 2017.
Are there any NGOs working for reproductive rights justice
in Turkey?
Yes, there are NGOs working for reproductive rights justice in Turkey.
One such organization is the We Will Stop Femicide Platform, which
is a prominent social movement that advocates for women's rights
and fights against gender-based violence and murder in Turkey. The
organization was established 12 years ago and has since become
one of Turkey's most prominent social movements, organizing mass
demonstrations over the increasing number of femicides and the
government's inaction to protect women and end domestic violence.
In 2021, the Turkish government withdrew from the Council of
Europe's Convention on Combating Violence Against Women, the so-
called Istanbul Convention, due to criticism from Islamist and
conservative critics who claimed that it undermined traditional
family values. However, the We Will Stop Femicide Platform and its
leader, Gulsum Kav, have been at the forefront of several
nationwide demonstrations to urge the government to rejoin the
Istanbul Convention.
In addition to advocating for women's rights and fighting against
gender-based violence, the We Will Stop Femicide Platform also
works to ensure access to safe and legal abortions in Turkey. In
2022, a prosecution office sought to close the organization for its
alleged "immorality," but a court in Istanbul overruled the demand.
The organization's General Secretary, Fidan Ataselim, stated that
they would continue to fight for women's rights and not give up their
political struggle.
Overall, the We Will Stop Femicide Platform is an example of an NGO
working for reproductive rights justice in Turkey, advocating for
women's rights, fighting against gender-based violence, and
ensuring access to safe and legal abortions.
Which all countries are in good relations with Turkey?
Turkey has good relations with several countries, including
Azerbaijan, Qatar, and Pakistan. Turkey's relationship with
Azerbaijan is particularly strong due to their shared cultural and
linguistic heritage, as well as their close economic and political ties.
Qatar and Turkey have also developed a strong relationship in
recent years, with Turkey providing military support to Qatar during
the blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia and its allies. Pakistan and
Turkey have a long-standing relationship based on mutual support
and cooperation, with Turkey providing military and economic
assistance to Pakistan over the years.
However, Turkey's relations with some countries, such as Greece
and Armenia, have been strained due to historical disputes and
territorial claims. Turkey's relationship with the European Union has
also been challenging in recent years due to disagreements over
issues such as human rights, democracy, and migration.
In the Middle East, Turkey's relationship with Syria has been
particularly complex. Before the Syrian civil war, relations between
the two countries had improved significantly after Syria expelled the
PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan in 1998. However, the Syrian civil war
has once again strained relations between the two countries,
leading to the suspension of diplomatic contact. In recent years,
Turkey has taken steps to ease economic sanctions against Syria
and seek a "bilateral normalization effort" with its Syrian
counterpart Bashar Al-Assad.
Overall, Turkey's relationships with other countries are complex and
multifaceted, with both positive and negative aspects. While Turkey
has good relations with some countries, it has strained relations with
others due to historical disputes, political differences, and territorial
claims