China Seeks to Reduce ‘Non-Medically Necessary Abortions’

The Chinese Government has announced that it seeks to reduce the use of ‘non-medically necessary abortions.’ The policy has been introduced as a part of the ‘Chinese Women’s Development Guidelines’ in the upcoming 9 years. Although Beijing did not specify what a non-medical necessary abortion’ is, human rights advocacy groups are concerned. A straightforward reading of the text implies that unless there are medical reasons to have an abortion, it shall not be easy for women to have access to the procedure. Moreover, critics fear that the policy will be enforced through coercive strategies. The introduction of this policy is part of a wider effort of the Beijing government to increase the birth-rate within China. The low birth rate is partly the result of the ‘one child policy,’ which the government has enforced by forced contraception, abortion, and sterilization. In general, critics agree that this alteration in access to abortions, as well as the push to have more children – albeit opening up the possibility to have more children – seeks to utilise women’s bodies and reproductive health for economic purposes. For more detailed information, please visit: https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/09/27/beijing-reduce-non-medically-necessary-abortions