'Regulations on abortion needed to protect women'

'Regulations on abortion needed to protect women'

JAKARTA (JP): Regulations on abortion need immediate revision
to ensure protection of women, experts and activists told a
public discussion on Thursday.

"The public have a misinformed image of abortion. They tend to
blame women, whereas in most cases women are already the
victims," said Zoemrotin K. Susilo, a member of the Women Health
Forum and executive board member of the Indonesian Consumer
Foundation (YLKI).

Zoemrotin further pointed out the double-standards of rulings
on abortion which leave women at the receiving end.

The ambiguity of existing regulations, Zoemrotin said, is
evident by comparing Law No. 23/1992 on Health and the Criminal
Code.

Articles 14 and 15 in the 1982 law, state that in an emergency
situation where the life of a mother and her baby is at stake,
"certain medical action" can be taken based on expert medical
judgment and in agreement with the wishes of the mother or
husband.

This clearly differs from article 346 of the Criminal Code
which stipulates that a woman who commits an abortion, or asks
somebody else to do it, will face a maximum sentence of four
years in prison.

"This legal dispute must be cleared first. We believe that
women are entitled to the rights of their own reproductive system
and health, irrespective of age," Zoemrotin said.

The country has also not yet achieved an adequate level of
good counseling services and safe abortions, she said.

"Is there a safe place where a woman can consult and have a
safe abortion without having to be afraid of police officers or
any other groups who take action in the name of morality?"
Zoemrotin questioned.

The degree to which doctors will use their autonomy and
authority in order to perform a medical action according to their
conscience also matters, she said.

Another speaker, Gulardi H. Wiknjosastro, a professor of
obstetric gynecology at the University of Indonesia, asserted
that the law on abortion should heed people's interests.

"The ban against abortion has had negative consequences such
as the rampant practice of unsafe abortions by traditional
midwives or the mothers themselves. The practice contributes to
an average mortality rate amongst these mothers of 15 percent,"
Gulardi said.

The professor further explained that an artificial abortion
(intentionally performed) and natural abortion (miscarriage) are
totally different, but people tend to mix them up.

"Every abortion conducted for medical reasons must follow
certain indications, which include hypertension, metabolic flaws,
cancer, organ (liver, heart, lung) dysfunction, the death of the
infant, infection, a severely crippled fetus or an ill fetus.

Abortions should also be allowed due to socio-medical causes,
which include rape, incest or contraception failure, Gulardi
said.

Prior to an abortion, all counseling procedures need thorough
explanation and understanding between patients and counselors
(doctors), so that the decision reflects the interaction between
the two parties, Gulardi added.

"Abortion which is done safely and properly before the fetus
reaches 12 weeks old reduces the risk of the mother's death or
illness."

During the discussion Mitra Perempuan revealed that an average
of 26 percent of women who fall victim to rape become pregnant
and half of them are also infected with sexually transmitted
diseases.

The non-governmental organization which fights for women's
protection operates a hotline on (021) 837-90010 for victims of
violence.

Among the speakers in the discussion were former health
minister Farid Anfasa Moeloek, YLKI chairwoman Indah
Suksmaningsih and National Police representatives. (edt)