Abortion in Bangladesh

Abortion is illegal in Bangladesh under most situations, but menstrual regulation is often used as a substitute. Bangladesh is still governed by the penal code from 1860, where induced abortion is illegal unless the woman is in danger.[1][2]

Historically, abortion has been prevalent, especially during the years following the Bangladesh Liberation War. For example, in 1972, the law allowed for abortion for those women who has been raped during the war.[2] In 1976, the Bangladesh National Population Policy unsuccessfully attempted to legalize abortion in the first trimester.[3]

Since 1979, menstrual regulation has been the favored alternative to induced abortion, and it is legally permitted because pregnancy cannot be established.[3][2] In 2012, the Drug Administration for Bangladesh legalised the combination of mifepristone and misoprostol for medical abortion.[4]

  1. ^ "Fact Sheet: Menstrual Regulation and Induced Abortion in Bangladesh". Guttmacher Institute. September 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Bangladesh". Abortion Policies: A Global Review (DOC). United Nations Population Division. 2002. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Country Profile – Bangladesh". Asia Safe Abortion Partnership. Archived from the original on 11 November 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Zaidi, Shahida 2014 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).