Bodily Autonomy

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

THE ULTIMATE FREEDOM

The right to choose whether, when, and how to have children is fundamental to human dignity. Reproductive Rights are not just about abortion; they are about access to contraception, maternal health, and freedom from forced sterilization.

Your body is your own territory. No state, no community, and no individual has the right to colonize it.

DEFEND CHOICE →MTP LAWS

Part 2: The Reality

The Silent Struggle

Based on NFHS-5 & UNFPA Reports

24w

Legal Limit

For Abortion in India

67%

Unsafe Abortions

Due to Stigma/Access

9.4%

Unmet Need

For Family Planning

103

MMR

Maternal Mortality Ratio

The Spectrum of Rights

Reproductive justice is not a single issue. It encompasses the right to safe birth, the right to contraception, the right to menstrual hygiene, and the right to say "No" to forced pregnancy or sterilization.

Issues in Focus

Sex Selection: Despite the PCPNDT Act, female foeticide remains a dark reality in many states, skewing the sex ratio.
Contraception Gap: The burden of family planning falls 90% on women (tubectomy) rather than men (vasectomy).
Surrogacy: The new laws ban commercial surrogacy, allowing only "altruistic" surrogacy, creating new legal complexities.

ACCESS: RESTRICTED

Access Barriers

Rural Access to MTPCritical Low

Doctors refuse services due to personal morality or fear.

Adolescent EducationPoor

Sex education is still taboo in most schools.

Menstrual HygieneImproving

Access to pads/cups is growing but affordability is an issue.

"Forced motherhood is female enslavement. Forced sterilization is state violence. Freedom lies in choice."

Part 3: The Law

MTP Act 2021 (Amendment)

A progressive leap in abortion rights for Indian women.

Up to 24 Weeks

Extended Limit

Abortion is legal up to 20 weeks on the advice of 1 doctor, and up to 24 weeks for special categories (rape survivors, minors) with 2 doctors.

Legal Right

Unmarried Women

Inclusive Clause

The Act replaces "husband" with "partner," allowing unmarried women to legally access abortion for contraceptive failure.

No Marriage Bar

Other Crucial Laws

PCPNDT Act 1994

Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act. Bans sex determination tests to prevent female foeticide.

Surrogacy (Regulation) Act 2021

Bans commercial surrogacy. Allows altruistic surrogacy only for intending couples with medical needs (and now single women/widows/divorcees).

Maternity Benefit Act 2017

Increased paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for the first two children.

Part 4: The Barriers

Why Is Access Denied?

Doctor Refusal

Many doctors refuse abortions to unmarried women due to "moral grounds" or fear of legal tangles, despite the law permitting it.

Social Stigma

Abortion and infertility are shrouded in shame. Women often resort to dangerous quacks to keep the procedure secret.

Consent Issues

Hospitals often illegally demand the husband's or parent's consent for an adult woman's abortion. The law requires ONLY the woman's consent.

Contraceptive myths

Misinformation about side effects prevents women from using pills or IUDs, leading to unwanted pregnancies.

Judicial Delay

For pregnancies beyond 24 weeks (due to foetal abnormalities), women must approach courts. Delays here can be fatal or force unwanted birth.

YOUR ROLE

Normalize the conversation. Support women's choices. Report doctors who demand spousal consent for MTP.

Part 5: The Response

BRAC CHOICE PROTOCOL

Ensuring autonomy through access and advocacy.

1. Safe Access Clinics

Judgment-free zones.

• MTP Services: Partnering with certified doctors for safe procedures.

• Counseling: Pre and post-abortion psychological support.

2. Comprehensive Education

Knowledge is power.

• SRHR Workshops: Teaching adolescents about consent and biology.

• Myth Busting: Correcting misinformation about contraception.

3. Legal Aid

Fighting for the right to choose.

• Court Petitions: Representing women needing late-term abortions.

• Advocacy: Fighting cases of forced sterilization.

4. Menstrual Equity

Ending period poverty.

• Pad Banks: Distributing free sanitary products in slums.

• Sanitation: Building safe toilets for women.

5. Provider Training

Sensitizing the system.

• Ethics Training: Teaching doctors about the legal rights of unmarried women.

• Privacy: Ensuring patient confidentiality protocols.

ACTIVATE AUTONOMY

Select your impact level. 85% of funds go directly to programs.

IMPACT LEVEL 1

₹500

Provides a year's supply of sanitary pads for one rural girl.

DONATE NOW

RECOMMENDED

IMPACT LEVEL 2

₹3,000

Subsidizes a safe and legal abortion procedure for a low-income woman.

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IMPACT LEVEL 3

₹20,000

Sponsors a "Reproductive Health Camp" for 50 women.

DONATE NOW

Tax Deductible under Section 80G.

Transparency: You will receive a donation receipt & impact report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a husband's consent matter for abortion?

No. Under the MTP Act, only the consent of the woman is required. A doctor asking for spousal consent is violating the law.

Can unmarried women get an abortion?

Yes. The MTP Amendment 2021 specifically covers unmarried women, citing "failure of contraception" as a valid legal ground.

Is my donation tax deductible?

Yes. BRAC is registered under Section 80G. You will receive a tax exemption certificate via email within 7 days.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws may vary by location. BRAC is not responsible for errors, omissions, or consequences arising from its use. BRAC® is a registered trademark. Unauthorized commercial use is prohibited. For corrections or permissions, email info@brac.in