Paper by Jaime Todd-Gher and Payal K Shah. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters.
April 19, 2020.
Past global health emergencies show that access to safe abortion can be negatively impacted during crises. While states’ COVID-19 responses are still evolving, increasing burdens on health systems are likely to substantially reduce abortion access. As providers become infected, clinics providing abortion in some countries have already closed down. Lockdown and quarantine orders restricting movement may also exacerbate the harm of existing abortion restrictions that require multiple clinic visits, such as mandatory waiting periods, and increase women’s risk of COVID-19 infection, as well as impede confidentiality and disrupt supply-chains for abortion medication.
Yet abortion services are more essential now than ever. Preliminary reports indicate that states’ COVID-19 responses may lead to increased unintended and unwanted pregnancies due to quickly diminishing contraceptive supplies, increased incidence of domestic violence, and rising income insecurity. Compelling continuation of unwanted pregnancies is recognised as a human rights violation in several circumstances, including where there are foreseeable physical or mental health impacts for pregnant persons. Further, pregnancy carries heightened risks during crises and COVID-19 may create new barriers to pregnancy-related care.
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