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===Laws & Social Stigmas===
===Laws & Social Stigmas===


In Bahrain, abortion is technically legal and available upon request, according to the Penal Code of 20 March 1976.<ref>[https://www.unodc.org/res/cld/document/bhr/1976/bahrain_penal_code_html/Bahrain_Penal_Code_1976.pdf Bahrain Penal Code, 1976]</ref> This means that all reasons for abortion are technically permitted. However, the reality of abortion availability is a bit more complicated. For an abortion to be legally permitted, a panel of physicians must approve of the abortion. Furthermore, only a licensed physician may perform the abortion.<ref>[http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/abortion/profiles.htm Abortion Policies, A Global Review - Bahrain (United Nations Report]</ref> If someone receives an abortion without the advice and assistance of a doctor, they may receive a 6-month jail term or a fine of up to BD 50.<ref>[https://www.unodc.org/res/cld/document/bhr/1976/bahrain_penal_code_html/Bahrain_Penal_Code_1976.pdf Bahrain Penal Code, 1976]</ref>
In Bahrain, abortion is technically legal and available upon request, according to the Penal Code of 20 March 1976.<ref>[https://www.unodc.org/res/cld/document/bhr/1976/bahrain_penal_code_html/Bahrain_Penal_Code_1976.pdf Bahrain Penal Code, 1976]</ref> This means that all reasons for abortion are technically permitted. However, the reality of abortion availability is a much more complicated. For an abortion to be legally permitted, a panel of physicians must approve of the abortion. Furthermore, only a licensed physician may perform the abortion.<ref>[http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/abortion/profiles.htm Abortion Policies, A Global Review - Bahrain (United Nations Report]</ref> If someone receives an abortion without the advice and assistance of a doctor, they may receive a 6-month jail term or a fine of up to BD 50.<ref>[https://www.unodc.org/res/cld/document/bhr/1976/bahrain_penal_code_html/Bahrain_Penal_Code_1976.pdf Bahrain Penal Code, 1976]</ref>


While abortion is legal in Bahrain, it is not very common. It's reportedly much more common for women to seek out underground abortion providers, especially sellers of "abortion pills," or to seek out abortions overseas. This is due to multiple factors. For one, women must have their abortion approved by a panel of physicians in Bahrain. These panels rarely grant abortions, and when they do, it's usually because the pregnancy endangers the life of the woman. In other words, it is extremely rare for a woman to seek out a legal abortion for a non-medical reason and be granted abortion services. Furthermore, there are social stigmas, community pressures, and shame related to abortions and premarital sex in Bahrain. As a result, people may receive abortions from clandestine providers, purchase "abortion pills" on the black market, or seek out abortion services abroad, which are seen as more private, safe, or confidential to many women.
While abortion is legal in Bahrain, it is not very common. This is because physicians rarely grant abortions, unless the pregnancy seriously endangers the life of the pregnant person, the pregnancy seriously endangers the life of the child, or if there is serious risk of fetal impairment. In other words, it is extremely rare for a woman to seek out a legal abortion for a non-medical reason and be granted abortion services. Furthermore, there are social stigmas, community pressures, and shame related to abortion and premarital sex in Bahrain. As a result, people may extremely uncomfortable seeking out legal abortions, even if they believe that may qualify to receive them. For this reason, it's much more common for women to seek out abortions through unofficial channels, such as purchasing "abortion pills" on the black market, or by traveling abroad to obtain abortion services.  


It should be noted that the "abortion pills" sold in Bahrain are often times pills for gastric ulcers, sold on the black market.<ref>[http://www.tradearabia.com/news/HEAL_175194.html Bahrain women in high-risk abortions]</ref> These tactics can be risky, since they are unregulated, and may lead to health issues. Furthermore, the distributors of "abortion pills" and providers of clandestine abortions may not be properly trained or informed regarding medical procedures.  
It should be noted that the "abortion pills" sold in Bahrain are often times pills for gastric ulcers, sold on the black market.<ref>[http://www.tradearabia.com/news/HEAL_175194.html Bahrain women in high-risk abortions]</ref> These tactics can be risky, since they are unregulated, and may lead to health issues. Furthermore, the distributors of "abortion pills" and providers of clandestine abortions may not be properly trained or informed regarding medical procedures.  

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