THE MEDICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2021, marked a significant step forward by the Government of India in expanding access to reproductive services and abortion care for all. This progressive legislation simplified the procedural requirements and extended the permissible gestation limits. Notably, the Act also extended the provision of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) services to unmarried people, thereby promoting inclusivity and ensuring reproductive rights for a broader segment of society.
Despite the progressive changes introduced by the MTP Act, the accessibility of MTP services continue to be fraught with procedural rigmarole and attitudinal biases. This article seeks to present the hurdles faced by young women in accessing abortion services on the ground.
Daisy*, a 19-year-old girl from a metropolitan city in India, lives with her mother and siblings. She got into an intimate relationship with an 18-year-old boy she met on a social media app and planned to get married to him. When his family refused to support their marriage, they eloped. They returned after his family assured them that they would not oppose their union. Upon returning, however, the boy's family broke their promise and arranged his engagement to another girl and the boy also started avoiding Daisy.
