“As an organization that works on controversial issues, of course we often face assault from people like slurs, criticism, judgments, even subtle threats”
‘Maya’ presented [on] 28 June 2012 [to] youth counseling services with the need for safe abortion. She [had already taken] some pharmaceutical drugs from her friend but there was no reaction. She [presented to the counseling services] with great expectations that she would get [the] help she needed. [In Indonesia, termination via surgical methods]…was limited by the rule…that unmarried women cannot get the services without [a] parent’s presence. [Unmarried women are also required to present documents such as]…identity card, birth certificate and KK (Kartu Keluarga) – a letter denoting the family information and status. The documents would ensure her identity, parents and family status. Many young women [and] girls who [need help] for safe abortion…back away when they [are] faced by this requirement. [Realizing the situation], the youth counselor offered…to [refer the client to another service] that provides safe abortion…with medical methods without any requirements of [a] parent’s presence. We gave the hotline number of the service and the name of the organization.
[On]…1 July 2012 the client reported that she experienced bleeding. She was taken to the hospital and got help to stop the bleeding and aborted the fetus. After that, she needed the curettage treatment but the hospital refused to do it without the permission from the family. [The pharmaceutical drugs she had obtained from her friend and ingested earlier to induce abortion]…was the cause of her bleeding. Moreover, she could not reach the hotline number of the referral service[.] …Now, her condition is good but [the youth counseling services] are concerned with the fact that she should get the curettage treatment after the crisis. [She was informed that she needs this curettage procedure, however] the experience at the hospital made her unwilling to complete the treatment.
As [an organization that]…works [on] controversial issues, of course we often face…assault from people like slur[s], criticism, judgment[s], even subtle threat[s].
In Indonesia abortion is illegal except in cases of fetal impairment, rape and to save a women’s life. But spousal authorization is needed. (CRR, “The Wold’s Abortion Laws 2012, http://www.worldabortionlaws.com/map/)
ACTIVISTS’ REFLECTIONS
By PKBI DIY (Perkumpulan Keluarga Berencana Indonesia Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta)
We give information about…safe abortion services [to] limited groups for…security consideration[s]… [S]everal times our clinic [has been] visited by the police… We must be careful to detect whether people come [to us] because they need [counseling services] or [if] it is some kind of trap. As [an organization that]…works [on] controversial issues, of course we often face…assault from people like slur[s], criticism, judgment[s], even subtle threat[s]. The threats usually come from people who do not agree with the idea of abortion as one of women’s rights as well as [people who do not agree with other] issues that we fight for such as LGBT [rights] and…gendered-based violence.
DEMAND ACCESS TO SAFE AND LEGAL ABORTION NOW!
(Image: http://guerillawomentn.blogspot.com/)