Evidence of meeting #52 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was services.
A recording is available from Parliament.
1:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
We will go to Mr. Bergeron.
Mr. Bergeron, you have one minute, sir—one question, essentially.
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Bloc
Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Montarville, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Théroux‑Séguin, I'd like to continue on in the same vein as my colleague from Shefford. Some witnesses today have suggested that there are parts of the world, particularly in Africa, where abortion is completely alien to local cultures. Based on your observations, is the practice of abortion, whether official or clandestine, less common in African countries?
1:20 p.m.
Global Thematic Leader, Women and Girls Rights, Centre for International Studies and Cooperation
No. As was said earlier, banning them doesn't stop them from happening. In Latin America and in Africa, the majority of abortions, about three out of four, are unsafe. In Africa, nearly half of all abortions are performed in the most unsafe conditions. So it isn't true that there are no abortions: there are some.
As mentioned earlier, 36 African nations signed the Maputo protocol in 2006, which allows for medical abortion in cases of sexual assault, rape or incest, or when the pregnancy endangers the mother's health.
So the answer is no. We've found that abortions are performed, but not in conditions conducive to the health of women and girls.
1:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
Thank you.
We now go for the last minute to MP McPherson. You have a minute.
1:20 p.m.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'm going to ask Ms. Kacpura this question again.
We've heard multiple times today and in previous testimony that stopping access to abortion does not stop abortion. It stops safe abortion. It stops the ability for women to access health care safely and it risks their lives. Could you perhaps talk a bit about who is most impacted by this? What women are least likely to be able to access health care when access to abortion is restricted?
Ms. Kacpura, that was for you.
1:20 p.m.
President, Foundation for Women and Family Planning
Thank you very much.
Yes, of course, as I told you before, this is reproductive injustice, because this is a draconian, really restrictive law for the poorest underserved people with no privilege, living in small towns and villages, and with no money, because, as you know, there's easy access to abortion for those who are educated, live in big towns and have money.
The most difficult access right now is for women in difficult pregnancies. These women are dying in Poland, because of course these are wanted pregnancies. After a prenatal test, a woman discovers that her fetus is seriously damaged, that it has fetal impairments. She is not aware of this fact until the doctor translates the result of the test. Usually, she doesn't want to continue that pregnancy, and these exceptions for legal abortion were excluded from the Polish law. We have in Poland—
1:20 p.m.
Liberal
1:20 p.m.
President, Foundation for Women and Family Planning
[Inaudible—Editor] 98% of the legal abortions because of fetal impairments.
Thank you.
1:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
Thank you very much.
On that note, let me say thank you very much, Ms. Kacpura. It's good to see you again.
Thank you to Ms. Théroux-Séguin and Ms. Okafor. We're very grateful for your time and perspectives. They will certainly be reflected in our report. Thank you.
Members, before we adjourn, there are two quick matters.
First of all, the budget for the study of sexual and reproductive health has been sent to all the members. Is it the will of the committee to adopt the budget?
1:20 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
1:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
Thank you.
With respect to Bill C-281 and consideration of that particular bill, is it the will of the committee to submit their witness lists by this Friday at 5 p.m.?
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Some hon. members
Agreed.
1:20 p.m.
Liberal