Abortion in the Philippines

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Abortion in the Philippines is illegal. It is permitted only in instances in which the pregnant woman's life is endangered. ^[1]

One study estimated that, despite legal restrictions, in 1994 there were 400,000 abortions performed illegally in the Philippines and 80,000 hospitalizations of women for abortion-related complications. 12% of all maternal deaths in 1994 were due to unsafe abortion according to the Department of Health of the Philippines. Research suggests that Filipino women of all social classes seek to terminate pregnancies, but that experiences differ along these lines, with well-to-do women being able to obtain a safe procedure from a medical professional while impoverished women cannot. Two-thirds of Filipino women who have abortions attempt to self-induce or seek solutions from those who practice folk medicine. ^[2]

The Department of Health has created a program to address the complications of unsafe abortion, Prevention and Management of Abortion and its Complications. This program had been tested in 17 government-run hospitals by 2003. ^[2]

[edit] See also

• Abortion
• Abortion by country
• Abortion law

[edit] References

1. ^ United Nations Population Division. (2002). Abortion Policies: A Global Review.
2. ^ ^{a b} Juarez, Fatima, Cabigon, Josefina, Singh, Susheela, & Hussain, Rubina. (2005). The Incidence of Induced Abortion in the Philippines: Current Level and Recent Trends. International Family Planning Perspectives, 31 (3). Retrieved November 11, 2006.