A few days ago, the Congress of Deputies approved a much-needed reform of the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy Act, popularly known as the Abortion Act. A set of measures aimed at improve women’s access to abortion in Spain. And a whole lesson for countries like the US or companies like Google Maps that question women’s right to have an abortion.
Because the U.S. Supreme Court banned access to abortion at the federal level (Rowe vs. Wade), thousands of North American women and teenagers have faced complaints, harassment and persecution for exercising their fundamental right. Something that meant a huge downturn in the progress made by the feminist movement in the country. It also sets a dangerous precedent that other conservative governments such as Poland’s have been quick to follow.
Faced with this wave of attacks on women’s rights, countries such as Argentina and Colombia are recognizing and expanding the right to voluntary abortion. An example from which public institutions should learn. But also important companies that could have done so much and failed to do so for women’s rights.
Big tech anti-abortion
In contrast to the achievements of these Latin American countries, some technology companies have already advocated for a ban on abortion rights in the US. This is the Facebook case. The social network, known for its privacy opacity, has faced a new scandal after sharing sensitive information.
The most famous case is last August when the platform was shared with the police. a series of personal messages incriminating a minor in an abortion case. Iron vigilance, which is repeated in other social networks and is manifested not only by the competent authorities. Numerous anti-abortion groups are actively targeting teens who contact family planning centers through their Instagram or TikTok profiles.
But Target It’s not the only major tech company that is far from being an example of corporate social responsibility. Having received a flurry of criticism in the United States, Google vows to improve information to exercise abortion rights after cancellation Rowe vs. Wade. However, according to tests carried out VICEthe company’s mapping app continues to direct women to abortion centers when they are looking for a place to have an abortion.
What is happening in Spain and in other European countries where Google Maps does not distinguish between one center and another. A reality that implies a violation of women’s right to clear and truthful information in the provision of such a fundamental medical service as abortion.
More intentions than joys for voluntary termination of pregnancy
We talked about it with Francisca Garcia, president of the Association of Accredited Abortion Clinics (ACAI). “One of the problems is misinformation about where to go in case of an unexpected pregnancy,” he says. “The question is what send to centers that are against the choice that they judge a womanstigmatize profit and give information that has nothing to do with reality.
Although in Spain, according to the expert, “most of the benefits are done together.” This means that women go to their own medical center and are referred to authorized abortion centers there. However, Garcia argues that “information about the provision of abortions, as well as other health benefits,” is needed. Well, it’s still a very stigmatized practice.
The road that starts with abortion law reform
A recent legal reform approved in Spain aims to address some of the most pressing problems in accessing abortion services. For the president of the ACAI, this reform aims to correct the measures corrected by the People’s Party. And its goal is to “better apply what was the 2010 law.”
Some of its measures are aimed at making the public network, and not the private one, as it is now, the one that takes over the majority of voluntary abortions. A provision designed to avoid long-distance travel and facilitate access to benefits in the most closed autonomous communities.
It also includes the regulation of conscientious objection, the abolition of the three-day reflection period, the extension of the right to women aged 16 and 17 or with disabilities, and a free pill in the morning at health centers.
And in which there is still much to be done
These measures are aimed at ensuring the proper development of basic health services and the guarantee of fundamental human rights. Although there is still much to be done to ensure that women have proper health care.
In a specific case of voluntary termination of pregnancy practice needs to be destigmatizedboth among healthcare workers and in society as a whole. Which cannot be done without adequate training of the medical staff involved and the general public.
In addition to ensuring that all abortions are carried out with proper safeguards and accompaniment. Something that includes taking action against the harassment of women who visit clinics by ultra-conservative groups. A task that cannot be completed without the necessary resources and protocols.
Source: Hiper Textual
