Mandatory Waiting Periods and Biased Abortion Counseling in Central and Eastern Europe

Int J Gynecol Obstet, 139: 253–258

11 Pages Posted: 1 Nov 2017

See all articles by Leah Hoctor

Leah Hoctor

Center for Reproductive Rights

Adriana Lamačkova

Center for Reproductive Rights

Date Written: 2017

Abstract

Several Central and Eastern European countries have recently enacted retrogressive laws and policies introducing new preconditions that women must fulfill before they can obtain legal abortion services. Mandatory waiting periods and biased counseling and information requirements are particularly common examples of these new prerequisites. The present article considers these requirements in light of international human rights standards and public health guidelines, and outlines the manner in which, by imposing regressive barriers on women's access to legal abortion services, these new laws and policies undermine women's health and well-being, fail to respect women's human rights, and reinforce harmful gender stereotypes and abortion stigma.

Keywords: Abortion, Abortion Counseling, Central and Eastern Europe, Discrimination, Human Rights, Informed Consent, Waiting Periods

JEL Classification: K10, J13, I18, I10

Suggested Citation

Hoctor, Leah and Lamačkova, Adriana, Mandatory Waiting Periods and Biased Abortion Counseling in Central and Eastern Europe (2017). Int J Gynecol Obstet, 139: 253–258, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3062177

Leah Hoctor (Contact Author)

Center for Reproductive Rights ( email )

120 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
United States

Adriana Lamačkova

Center for Reproductive Rights ( email )

120 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
United States

HOME PAGE: http://reproductiverights.org/

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