Abortion within and around the law in the Caribbean
In the Caribbean health care providers are routinely providing abortions in contravention of the law,
and that those services, tolerated by governments and legitimised by European norms, are clearly
the mainstay of abortion care on these islands. Women travelled to find anonymous services, and
also to access a particular method, provider or facility. Sometimes they settled for a less acceptable
method if they could not afford a more comfortable one.
Whereas doctors may have the liberty and knowledge to practise illegal abortions, women have no
legal right to these services. Interviews suggest that an increasing number of women are self-inducing
misoprostol abortions to avoid doctors, high fees and public stigma. The Caribbean Initiative on
Abortion and Contraception is organising meetings, training providers and creating a public forum to
advocate decriminalisation of abortion and enhance abortion care.
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Reception and Waiting Lounge
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Consultation Room
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Pre-Ops and Ward
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Operating Theatre
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Post Operation
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Disposal Process
In the Caribbean health care providers are routinely providing abortions in contravention of the law,
and that those services, tolerated by governments and legitimised by European norms, are clearly
the mainstay of abortion care on these islands. Women travelled to find anonymous services, and
also to access a particular method, provider or facility. Sometimes they settled for a less acceptable
method if they could not afford a more comfortable one.
Whereas doctors may have the liberty and knowledge to practise illegal abortions, women have no
legal right to these services. Interviews suggest that an increasing number of women are self-inducing
misoprostol abortions to avoid doctors, high fees and public stigma. The Caribbean Initiative on
Abortion and Contraception is organising meetings, training providers and creating a public forum to
advocate decriminalisation of abortion and enhance abortion care.
<a href="http://s1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/?action=view&current=1-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/1-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Reception and Waiting Lounge
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Consultation Room
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Pre-Ops and Ward
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Operating Theatre
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Post Operation
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Disposal Process
