The Bridge Talks

The Bridge says:
A liberalised, just and safe abortion policy is one that recognises a woman’s right as the decision-maker.

Abortion laws continue to be debated in many countries. In India, abortion is legal in certain circumstances. Under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, abortion is allowed only within 12-20 weeks of pregnancy and under a few conditions. However, there is a need for further liberalisation, so that abortion becomes humane, just, and safe and women’s rights are not violated.

Women’s rights activists maintain that this is unfair as most fetal abnormalities occur after this period. Consequently, a woman’s health is severely affected. In considering these arguments, the Lok Sabha issued the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill on March 17, 2020, which legalises termination for up to 24 weeks in certain sensitive cases.

The social uproar we see today uses religion to counter abortion rights. Most human rights advocates question anti-abortion laws and stipulations by pointing out that saving the personhood of the fetus still in the woman’s womb, completely ignores the personhood of the woman who is carrying the child and might be suffering.

Prevention of the misuse of abortion laws is essential, but so are the rights of women who take on the responsibility for a child which they might not be able to do.

Illustration: Thirdeyestories by Anvita

Bridge says: Women have a right to pursue career goals without being burdened with generational home expectations.

There is a very biased strain of thought that often argues that women are emotionally vulnerable and hence incapable of making correct decisions for the family. This is a wrong assumption. With women today contributing to decision-making in every sector and being recognised across the professional world; so why is this capacity ignored at home? Counsel from our elders is appreciated since it is derived from their experience and acquired knowledge. But one must also recognise that there are generational differences with different approaches that impact decision-making today and a women’s decision must be respected.

As her marital home, women as daughters-in-law are supposed to stay at home and help aging and unwell parents-in-law as part of their duties. A father-in-law, for instance, controls all the finances and everyone just toes the line. These situations are forced on women as a result of which, they give up their careers and lose their life goals and ambitions.

Having children further complicates her life and she is made to feel guilty if she pursues her career leaving them in the hands of maids and caretakers. She is shamed even at work as a working mother and starts internalising her guilt-driven by the beliefs of the people around her. In reality, society has to recognise her rights as an independent person making her responsible and confident of her own decisions.

Sumukhi Suresh, Vasu Primlani and Aayushi Jagad in conversation with Sanjay Rajoura on how gender issues inform their work as comedians, as well as bias and prejudices on the basis of gender identity. Watch the full conversation here.

Queen of Comedy: Satire by women, for women at The Bridge 2018 Sumukhi Suresh, Vasu Primlani and Aayushi Jagad in conversation with Sanjay Rajoura on how gender issues inform their work as comedians, as well as bias and ...