Recently, a 27-year-old pregnant woman named Jandira dos Santos Cruz underwent an illegal abortion that ultimately ended in her untimely and unjust death. It is thought that the surgeon maimed the body afterwards in order to stall the identification process. In Brazil, abortion is illegal except in cases of rape, anencephaly (a brain malformation caused by an embryonic defect), or endangerment of the mother’s life, making it nearly impossible for women to have access to safe abortions. Although there are restrictions, it is estimated that between 800,000 and a million women terminate their pregnancies each year, but more than 200,000 of those women end up in the hospital (or in the morgue) from complications. As a result of much religious-based pressure, both female presidential candidates have decided to remain silent on this widespread issue. This isn’t just a problem in Brazil, however.
Personally, as a feminist and a huge supporter of a woman’s right to choose, I am disgusted by the fact that religion plays such a large roll in the election of a president. I find myself thinking often about how many restrictions are imposed on our nation solely because of our evangelical roots. There’s a supposed separation of church and state in this country, but why do we let our personal religious beliefs cloud our compassion and sympathy towards women who may not have another choice? It seems that we support our president based on their likeness to a religious icon; they must be well spoken, have strong morals, oppose controversy; but I don’t remember seeing the church on our ballots. You build a wall of your trite and outdated beliefs and assume that everyone can climb over it, but what about the rape victim or the mother who lives in poverty, or the 15 year old girl who got drunk at a party? How can you deny these women the basic right to have control over their own bodies? Obviously these are my opinions and feel free to oppose them, but I probably won’t take you seriously.
https://news.vice.com/article/as-women-die-from-illegal-abortions-in-brazil-presidential-candidates-remain-silent
What "pro-lifers" don't realize is that banning abortion won't EVER stop it; in fact, outlawing contraceptives will just increase the number of unsafe abortions. I used to be a pro-lifer, being swayed by pictures of disposed fetuses and complications (which most of them were miscarriages anyway), but then I actually became a feminist and realized how CRUEL it is to make a woman suffer from carrying a child she does not want, and in many cases, make a child be born in an environment that is only hostile and cruel to a person, being cared by a mother who never wanted him.
ReplyDeleteIm not necessarily against "pro-life" but I do believe women should be able to make their own choices. Rape victims shouldnt be the bonly ones to have legal abortions.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that our country is much too strict on abortion laws. As a Catholic, I believe in pro-choice. I feel like we should let those who were raped, have a mental problem, or who just can't take care of the baby, etc. to choose what they want to do. It's a tough decision, but in the end, u completely agree. Our country is way too strict and contradictory (seperation of Church and State).
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