World Health Organization calls for abortion to be fully decriminalized

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The World Health Organization (WHO) last week called for the complete decriminalization of abortion worldwide, Christian Headlines reports. Citing deaths and injuries resulting from unsafe abortions, the WHO said in a new guidance document that it recommends women and girls should be able to access family planning and abortion services “when they need them.”

Published on March 9, the new WHO guidance is a 200-page document that replaces the previous 2021 guidance, CH reports. The document contains recommendations for abortion care including telemedicine abortions.

The guidance also calls for abortion to “be fully decriminalized” and for the removal of barriers to abortion, the Christian Post reports.

“Being able to obtain [a] safe abortion is a crucial part of health care,” Craig Lissner, acting Director for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at WHO, said in a statement. “Nearly every death and injury that results from [an] unsafe abortion is entirely preventable. That’s why we recommend women and girls can access abortion and family planning services when they need them.”

The “external experts and WHO staff involved in guideline development” include Laura Castleman of Planned Parenthood Michigan, Dhammika Perera of Marie Stopes International, Karthik Srinivasan of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, and Christina Zampas of the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Christian Post reports.

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