The Harper government's "signature initiative" at the G8 meeting in June now has two key partners questioning Canada's apparent refusal to include abortion rights in a new program to improve the health of mothers and children in developing countries.
In recent days, both U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and British Foreign Minister David Miliband have spoken out in support of access to safe abortions as a vital element of a new maternal health care program. Their comments make it imperative that the Conservative government clarify its position, in order to save a valuable initiative that cannot possibly proceed without support from these two major G8 partners.
Mr. Harper's critics contend he has insisted the plan leave out abortion. However, the Prime Minister has never said that. Here is what he told the House on the matter: "We are not closing the door to any option, and that includes contraceptives. But we do not want a debate on abortion." News reports widely interpreted the desire to avoid a debate on abortion to mean he opposes including abortion in the program. That belief underlies the statements by Ms. Clinton and Mr. Miliband.
Mr. Harper needs to make his intentions on the abortion issue clear. His government needs to say that it is not closing the door to any option, period. Numerous studies show mortality rates grow for women who have too many children too close together, making contraception a critical part of any program to improve health for women and their babies. It makes no sense to attempt to draw a line for when women are facing an unplanned pregnancy in risky circumstances.
A study for the World Health Organization estimated that 500,000 women died from pregnancy and birth causes around the globe in 2005, 97 per cent of them in developing countries. Unsafe abortions accounted for about 13 per cent of those deaths. That's an average of 200 women a day.
Clearly there are many desperate women seeking to terminate pregnancies in these poor countries, and any responsible maternal health program should ensure they can do so safely. Providing such funding does not mean the elimination of other needed initiatives to improve nutrition and increase access to medical care during pregnancy and labour. Indeed, these should be the major focus of the program. However, contraception and the option of abortion add another reasonable element of care to the total package.
Women living in Canada have access to safe abortions, and the Harper government has wisely chosen not to dismantle these programs. It should make clear that it will take the same hands-off stance for the developing world, where women do not deserve to become victims of political manoeuvring in a distant country where choices for women abound.