“Keep track of pregnant women throughout their pregnancies to prevent any unlawful abortion. People’s mindset needs to be changed to eradicate female feticide menace,” said Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh, who directed health officials to create a network of ASHAs, Anganwari workers, Multi-Purpose Health Workers and Community Health Officers, for this purpose. Babushahi Bureau, 4 October 2023
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Divergence of opinion of two Supreme Court judges leads court to ask woman to reconsider abortion
The sharp divergence of opinion by two women Supreme Court judges on a married woman’s plea to abort her 26-week fetus sparked off a debate on women’s reproductive rights and decisional autonomy. The split verdict put on hold the court’s 9 October order allowing the termination, citing the vulnerable physical and psychological health of the 27-year-old mother of two. The next day, the Court increased the number of judges, who gave the woman 24 hours to reconsider her plea, but then shamelessly tried to confuse her and talk her out of the abortion. Hindustan Times, by Utkarsh Anand, 12 October 2023 ; Hindustan Times by Utkarsh Anand, Abraham Thomas, 13 October 2023