Abortion

In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court of India held that all women, married and unmarried, are entitled to safe and legal abortion. A bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud said that the meaning of rape under Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act must also include marital rape. The bench further stated that differentiating between married and u married women under the MTP Act, is “artificial and constitutionally unsustainable”.

Indiana lawmakers enacted a near-total ban on abortion, with limited exceptions on August 5, becoming the first state in the US to do so since Supreme Court reversed the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling. The Indiana statute was enacted with a few exceptions, such as rape and incest, and to safeguard the mother's life and physical condition. The treatment is now permitted till 22 weeks of pregnancy. 

In a landmark judgement, Kerala HC has granted permission for the medical termination of 24 weeks pregnancy of a 15-year-old rape victim. The court stated that if the baby is born alive, "the hospital shall ensure best medical treatment". The court also stated that if the victim is not willing to assume responsibility for the baby, the government shall provide the baby with medical and other facilities.

President Joe Biden warned on July 1 that certain US states may attempt to detain women who cross state boundaries to have abortions after the Supreme Court eliminated the constitutional right to surgery nationwide. After the SC overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, thirteen Republican-led states prohibited or severely limited the practice. Biden said he thinks "It's gonna happen to the whole country that this is a gigantic deal… read-more

In Odisha's Berhampur, 13 persons have been arrested for allegedly running a foetus sex detection racket. The main accused in the case has been identified as an ASHA worker. Reportedly, they would identify the gender of the foetus in a pregnant woman, and arrange for an abortion, if it is a female. Furthermore, one Ultrasound machine along with its equipments, a register and a mobile phone have been seized.