Journal Article

Nunes, Frederick E.; Delph, Yvette M.

Making abortion law reform happen in Guyana: A success story
Nunes, Frederick E.; Delph, Yvette M. - 1995 - Reproductive Health Matters, 3, 6, 12-23

Keywords : abortion law [changes]; behavior; biology; communication; contraception; diseases; education; family planning; infections; legal aspects; postconception fertility control; reproductive tract infections; research methodology; sampling studies; school; studies
Countries : Developing Countries; Guyana; Latin America; South America

Abstract : On 4 May 1995, after two years of intense public debate, the National Assembly of Guyana passed the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Bill, making Guyana the second country in the English-speaking Caribbean to introduce such legislation. For the entire two years scarcely a day went by without letters or articles in the press, and at least once a week there was a programme on television and radio. This paper describes the history and content of the campaign in support of the new law by the Pro-Reform Group, whose main slogan was 'Pro-Life, Pro-Choice, Pro-Reform'. This campaign sought common interests with the opposition, their public education was based on research among health and legal professionals, students and the public and on facts about abortion and women's experiences. It was carried out mainly through the media. The paper ends with a description of the new law and efforts to begin implementing it.

Web site : http://www.rhmjournal.org.uk
Notes : Inglés/anglais/English