Applicable for rape survivors, victims of incest, minors, differently-abled
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a legislation extending the upper limit for permitting abortions from the present 20 weeks to 24 weeks for “special categories of women”, which would include rape survivors, victims of incest, differently-abled and minors.
The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 which amends the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 will be introduced in Parliament session to begin from January 31.
While addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said the upper limit for permitting abortions has been extended from the present 20 weeks to 24 weeks.
The law will help the rape victims, ill and under-age women to terminate the unwanted pregnancy lawfully. Also, in case of deformity of the foetus, a medical board will provide a safe pathway for abortion,” the Minister said.
He also said this will ensure safe termination of pregnancies and also give women reproductive rights over their bodies.
“In a progressive reform and giving reproductive rights to women the limit of 20 weeks of medical termination of pregnancy has been increased to 24 weeks. This is important because in first five months there are cases where the girl concerned doesn’t realise and has to go to court. This was discussed with various stakeholders.
“This will reduce maternal mortality,” Javadekar said as he pointed out that according to estimates, “eight per cent of deaths in maternal mortality data are due to unsafe abortions”.
A statement issued by the Government here said the “upper gestation limit” for medical termination of pregnancy will not apply in cases of “substantial foetal abnormalities” diagnosed by the Medical Board.
The composition, functions and other details of Medical Board will be prescribed subsequently in rules to be framed under the Act.
“It is a step towards safety and well-being of the women and many women will be benefitted by this. Recently several petitions were received by the courts seeking permission for aborting pregnancies at a gestational age beyond the present permissible limit on grounds of foetal abnormalities or pregnancies due to sexual violence faced by women of foetal abnormalities or pregnancies due to sexual violence faced by women” said the statement.