Anti-abortion activists are trying to limit access in NSW – and they are just getting started
Summary
A member of the New South Wales (NSW) Libertarian party, John Ruddick, introduced a bill to ban abortions based on the sex of the fetus. Experts and health officials say sex-selective abortion is very rare in NSW, and the bill could limit access to abortion and increase stigma.Key Facts
- John Ruddick introduced a bill to punish health workers who perform abortions because of the fetus's sex.
- In NSW, abortion is currently allowed up to 22 weeks without the need to explain reasons.
- The bill would require health workers to ask women why they want an abortion, possibly discouraging abortions.
- NSW Health says there is no clear evidence that sex-selective abortion happens significantly in NSW.
- A 2020 review found only 13 out of nearly 16,000 abortions were for sex selection, with most likely errors.
- Some studies suggest bans like this can cause stress for mothers and do not actually change birth sex ratios.
- The bill is opposed by medical groups, who say it spreads misinformation and restricts abortion access.
- Anti-abortion activists in NSW are pushing for several restrictive abortion laws similar to those in the US.
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