Abortion rights around the world - Global News Podcast, BBC World Service

The Global News Podcast from BBC World Service, hosted by Iona Hampson, explores the topic of abortion rights worldwide. The episode discusses the international reactions to the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and the varying degrees of abortion access across different regions. It highlights the 'green wave' movement in South America advocating for liberalizing abortion rights, while in Africa, limited access persists. The podcast also shares personal stories, such as a US woman's emergency abortion in Malta, and touches on the broader implications of these issues on women's health and rights, as well as the political, religious, and societal debates surrounding them.

This segment delves into the correlation between restrictive abortion laws and the prevalence of unsafe abortions, emphasizing the health consequences for women. It discusses the role of medication abortion in improving safety despite legal restrictions and the need for legal changes to ensure women's right to choose their method of abortion. The conversation features insights from Dr. Susheela Singh of the Guttmacher Institute and addresses the underground nature of abortion services in countries where it is illegal, highlighting the challenges in accessing safe abortion methods.

The podcast turns to Canada, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed concern over the US Supreme Court's ruling, calling it a 'devastating setback' for women. Although abortion has been decriminalized in Canada since 1983, access remains inconsistent, with women in some areas required to travel long distances for the procedure. The segment also notes the presence of pro-life sentiments in Canada, but points out that the issue is less politicized than in the United States.

The narrative shifts to Malta, where a US tourist's emergency situation brought the country's strict abortion laws into the spotlight. Andrea Prudente's story of needing a life-saving abortion highlights the legal challenges and the emotional turmoil faced by individuals when the law prevents medical intervention. The Maltese government's consideration to review its laws and the impact on local women who do not have the option of medical evacuation are discussed, emphasizing the urgent need for legal reform.

In Ireland, the US Supreme Court's ruling has reignited the debate over abortion, a topic that was only recently decriminalized. The segment recounts the emotional response to the ruling and references the tragic case of Savita Halappanavar, whose death from sepsis in 2012 played a significant role in the campaign for decriminalization. The ongoing activism and the potential implications for Northern Ireland's legislation are also highlighted.

The World Health Organization's statistics on unsafe abortions are cited, revealing that over 25 million unsafe abortions occur annually, leading to approximately 39,000 deaths and millions of hospitalizations due to complications. The segment underscores the disproportionate impact on poor women in lower-income countries, particularly in Africa, and discusses the cultural and religious factors influencing abortion laws and women's access to safe abortion services.

Chinese media's coverage of the US Supreme Court's decision is examined, with a focus on how it is perceived as a human rights violation and an example of US hypocrisy. The historical context of China's own family planning policies, including the one-child policy and its implications for gender imbalance and forced abortions, is provided. The segment also touches on recent changes in birth control measures and allegations of ongoing forced sterilization in Xinjiang.

El Salvador's stringent abortion laws, which have led to women being imprisoned for miscarriages, are discussed. The experiences of Elise, who was sentenced to 30 years for aggravated homicide after a miscarriage, illustrate the harsh realities. The segment also considers the broader societal and legal challenges in changing these laws and the impact on women's rights activists working to alter both legislation and societal attitudes.

In India, the US ruling is seen as a significant setback for women's rights, with activists expressing concern about the potential global impact. The segment outlines the legal status of abortion in India, the challenges due to lack of awareness, stigma, and doctors' reluctance, and the ongoing issue of unsafe abortions leading to thousands of deaths annually.

The debate surrounding the approval of the abortion pill in Japan is highlighted, including the revelation of an outdated law requiring a woman to have her partner's consent for an abortion. The segment discusses the high cost of the pill, the potential financial barriers to accessing abortion services, and the broader cultural and political factors influencing Japan's approach to reproductive rights.

The 'green wave' movement in Latin America, which advocates for safe and legal abortions, is featured. The segment focuses on Colombia's landmark decision to legalize abortion up to 24 weeks, making it a regional leader in progressive abortion laws. The public debate strategy, the impact on women previously criminalized for abortion, and the ongoing efforts for social decriminalization are discussed.

The final segment returns to the United States, examining the immediate and potential long-term impacts of the Supreme Court's ruling. The discussion anticipates a deepening divide among states, with some moving to ban abortion and others to protect abortion rights, setting the stage for a highly charged political debate that will shape the national discourse on this moral issue.