Guttmacher: 47,000 Deaths Each Yr from Unsafe Abortions

Each year, 47,000 women die in developing nations due to unsafe abortions, according to the Guttmacher Institute. In addition, the Institute projects that "an estimated 40 million abortions will take place in the developing world this year". In an effort to raise public awareness about the preventable deaths and need for safe procedures, the Institute has launched a video campaign.

The video cites that "the best way to reduce the need for abortion is not by denying women access to safe and legal procedures, but by giving them the power to control their fertility and prevent unintended pregnancy. Today, 222 million women in the developing world want to avoid pregnancy but are not using a modern contraceptive". Recently, Bayer Pharmaceuticals announced their partnership with the Clinton Foundation to provide half priced implantable contraceptives for 27 million women living in developing countries worldwide.

A similar correlation between contraceptive care and lower abortion rates was verified in a recent study conducted by researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The research revealed that low-income women have lower rates of unintended pregnancy and abortion when given easy no-cost access to birth control.

Media Resources: Think Progress 10/4/12; Guttmacher Institute 10/4/12; Youtube; FMF Blog 10/8/12; Feminist Newswire 10/8/12

© Feminist Majority Foundation, publisher of Ms. magazine

If you liked this story, consider making a tax-deductible donation to support Ms. magazine.