Pro-choice activists stage a performance in front of Cheong Wa Dae on Oct. 8, 2020, calling for the complete abolition of the ban on abortion. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — Women’s rights organizations and human rights groups have joined together to call for the right to abortion.
The consortium, comprised of 22 groups, held a press conference on Wednesday and said abortion “shouldn’t be punished, but protected as a right”.
Organizers said that they would continue their protest until safe abortion was guaranteed and justice for gender and reproductive rights was fulfilled.
The consortium demanded that health insurance should cover a range of abortion-related medical treatments to prevent situation in which a person can’t afford an abortion or receive medical treatment for the side effects of abortion.
The consortium also called upon the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to approve abortion pills and allow both gynecologists and general doctors to prescribe the pills.
In consideration of the health condition and socioeconomic status of the pregnant woman, medical authorities should come up with a coordination system that connects primary, secondary and tertiary medical institutions to ensure pregnant women receive abortion treatment at an appropriate facility.
The consortium also called on the government to set up an official system that offers information on abortion and carry out an inclusive gender education to eradicate the social stigma toward abortion.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
