Armenian doctors will be penalized for performing selective abortions
YEREVAN, June 29. /ARKA/. A bill on reproductive health and reproductive rights passed today in the second and final reading by the Armenian parliament provides for penalties for doctors who would perform abortions in the 12th and 22nd weeks of pregnancy, a time of gestation that a child’s sex manifests itself.
Under the bill women who want an abortion before the 12th week of pregnancy will have to apply in writing to a hospital and wait for three days. During that period, specialists will work with the woman to help her understand the consequences of her choice. Doctors who violate the law will face fines from 40,000 drams ($85) to 100,000 drams ($210).
The measure is prompted by statistics showing an increasing number of abortions terminating a female fetus.
Health minister Armen Muradyan said under the law termination of pregnancy after the 12th week is allowed only if there is an expert ‘s conclusion or for social reasons – such as baby’s father's death, imprisonment of the pregnant woman, rape, threat to life of the fetus or the pregnant woman, presence of serious diseases or abnormalities in the fetus.
The country’s 2012 birth ratio of 114 boys for every 100 girls stood as the third highest in the world, after neighboring Azerbaijan, at 116, and China, at 118, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The UNFPA sets the norm at 102-106 males for every 100 females.
According to UNFPA, in 2006-2011 more than 7,200 women in Armenia had selective abortions. According to the National Statistical Service, 19,400 babies were born in Armenia in the first six months of 2016, by 3.2% more from the year before. -0-
Under the bill women who want an abortion before the 12th week of pregnancy will have to apply in writing to a hospital and wait for three days. During that period, specialists will work with the woman to help her understand the consequences of her choice. Doctors who violate the law will face fines from 40,000 drams ($85) to 100,000 drams ($210).
The measure is prompted by statistics showing an increasing number of abortions terminating a female fetus.
Health minister Armen Muradyan said under the law termination of pregnancy after the 12th week is allowed only if there is an expert ‘s conclusion or for social reasons – such as baby’s father's death, imprisonment of the pregnant woman, rape, threat to life of the fetus or the pregnant woman, presence of serious diseases or abnormalities in the fetus.
The country’s 2012 birth ratio of 114 boys for every 100 girls stood as the third highest in the world, after neighboring Azerbaijan, at 116, and China, at 118, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The UNFPA sets the norm at 102-106 males for every 100 females.
According to UNFPA, in 2006-2011 more than 7,200 women in Armenia had selective abortions. According to the National Statistical Service, 19,400 babies were born in Armenia in the first six months of 2016, by 3.2% more from the year before. -0-