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Cairo: Difference between revisions
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In Egypt, abortion is only permitted to save the life of a woman. Misoprostol (the abortion pill) sales have been restricted. All other reasons, including to preserve physical health, to preserve mental health, rape or incest, fetal impairment, social/economic reasons or available upon request, are not permitted. These laws are found in the Egyptian Penal Code of 1937 (sections 260-64). Furthermore, anyone who induces an abortion, including the pregnant woman, may face imprisonment for up to three years. Medical professionals, such as physicians, pharmacists, surgeons or midwives, may be subject to imprisonment of 3-15 years and/or hard labor if they induce any abortions. However, the government cannot convict someone merely for having the intent to commit the act.<ref>[http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/abortion/profiles.htm UN Report: Abortion Law in Egypt]</ref> | |||
There is also strong religious disapproval of abortions. In January 2004, the foremost mosque in Egypt issued a fatwa against abortions.<ref>[http://womensenews.org/2004/04/abortions-are-illegal-and-common-egypt/ Abortions Are Illegal and Common in Egypt]</ref> | |||
However, women continue to seek abortions in Egypt. As reported by CairoScene: "Women in Egypt have always managed, one way or another, to find some method of terminating their unwanted pregnancies, because although most doctors refuse to perform the procedure on legal or religious grounds, there has always been an underground web of physicians who perform them and the women who have had them done, and the web is laden with whispers from both ends."<ref>[http://www.cairoscene.com/In-Depth/The-Trouble-with-Abortions-in-Egypt The Trouble with Abortion in Egypt]</ref> According to one study, one third of Cairo women (married and unmarried) had tried to terminate a pregnancy.<ref>[http://www.prb.org/pdf08/MENAabortion.pdf Abortion in the Middle East and North Africa]</ref> Another study found that 41% of women in one rural Upper Egypt area had at least one abortion and 25% had more than one.<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10962589 Incidence and socioeconomic determinants of abortion in rural Upper Egypt.]</ref> One of the most common methods is ordering Misotac, the abortion pill from abroad. To read the personal stories of abortions performed in Egypt, click [http://egyptianstreets.com/2014/06/01/the-reality-of-getting-an-abortion-in-egypt/ here], [http://www.cairoscene.com/In-Depth/The-Trouble-with-Abortions-in-Egypt here] and [http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2013/04/24/abortion-in-egypt-whose-choice/ here]. Also, [http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/taboo-leads-children-dumped-streets-egypt-1371982043 here] is an article about women who cannot access abortion services so either turn to self-induced abortion or abandoning their newborn babies. | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* [http://www.efpa-eg.net/ Egyptian Family Planning Association (EFPA)]: This has been recommended by Women on Waves. Address: 24 A Anwar El - Mufty St, Apt.12 & 13 ( Behind Tiba Mall ) Nasr City , Cairo , 24 A Anwar El - Mufty St, Tel: +2000 20 2 402 7852 , 00 20 2 4028458, Fax: +2000 20 2 4031240 | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
In 2004, a professional and safe medical abortion in a clinic cost around $460. Cheaper abortions in less sanitary and advanced facilities could be found for $150 in 2004.<ref>[http://womensenews.org/2004/04/abortions-are-illegal-and-common-egypt/ Abortions Are Illegal and Common in Egypt]</ref> | |||
==Advocacy & Counseling== | ==Advocacy & Counseling== | ||