Dear Editor:
The Caribbean has the highest abortion rate in the world. More than 1:3 pregnancies (37%) end in abortion. https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/abortion-latin-america-and-caribbean
The average global abortion rate is 35 per 1,000 women 15-44 per year. Our figure in the Caribbean is 59. So much for the loud claims about our grand value for the sanctity of life.
You would think that our religious leaders and politicians especially would want to act with a sense of urgency to address this appalling situation. And you would be wrong.
In July, the High Court found our abortion law unduly restrictive: It only provided for lawful abortion to save a woman’s life. The court instructed the government to make additional lawful provisions for rape, incest, foetal anomaly, and to protect the health of the woman. And the court generously gave the government six months to establish those arrangements.
Sunday, August 23 marked the end of the first month. Despite several offers to support the Ministries of Health and Education, we have not been graced with a single reply. We hope they are busy planning and have no need for help, but we doubt it.
We are not even sure when the clock for the six-month timeline started ticking. Was it with the judge’s oral declaration on July 23? Or will it begin only when her written statement becomes available?
The Court’s term ended on July 31. The new term does not begin until mid-October. If the ministries choose to wait for the written ruling, that could be a loss of several months.
Inertia defeats initiative almost every time.
So, we in civil society must remain vigilant and keep pushing for transparency and accountability.
We must keep asking “Who is doing what?” to satisfy the court’s instructions.
Sincerely,
ASPIRE
ASPIRE is a pro-motherhood, pro-family, pro-choice, non-governmental advocacy group registered in Dominica and five other Caribbean countries. It promotes research and dialogue with civil society and governments to advance fairness and justice in reproductive health.
