Position Paper

Delegate: juan perez delgada

Country: Italy

Abortion

Introduction

From other studies performed in the past (3), it has been observed that in most cases, abortion is not considered to be the contraceptive method of choice but instead results from the failure to control fertility using other methods. More than 70% of women undergoing abortion were using a contraceptive method at the time of conception (primarily coitus interruptus). The finding that the number of repeat abortions is lower than that estimated by mathematical models that assume no changes in contraceptive behavior supports the hypothesis that the reduction in induced abortion is the consequence of a greater diffusion and more effective use of birth control methods (4).

There do appear to be some subpopulations in which abortion rates are higher: women with children, those with lower levels of education, and housewives. The most consistent declines in abortion rates are seen among married women, among those between 25 and 34 years of age and in those with children.

Good Morning Honorable Chair and fellow delegates. The delegation of Italy is honored to be here in this debate and hopes to find a solution to this problem.

As everyone knows all humans have rights, the same rights that people who are rich, poor, or who have a different religion and color skin, in general all the people have the right of life, but sometimes when a woman is pregnant, she has had the option to abort the baby or fetus during the first 90 days of gestation for health, economic, social, or familiar reasons. To obtain an abortion, the woman must have a certificate attesting to the state of the pregnancy from her general practitioner, or a private physician or a public maternal-child health clinic. The abortion is performed free-of-charge in public hospital or in private structures authorized by the regional health authorities.

Solution

Abortion in Italy became legal in May 1978, when Italian women were allowed to terminate a pregnancy on demand during the first 90 days. A proposal to repeal the law was considered in a 1981 national referendum, but was rejected by nearly 68% of voters; another referendum aimed at eliminating the restrictions was rejected by 88.4%.The law also allows termination in the second trimester of the pregnancy only when the life of the woman would be at risk if the pregnancy is carried to term or the fetus carries genetic or other serious malformations which would put the mother at risk of serious psychological or physical consequences.

In conclusion, the reduction of induced abortion appears related to improved use of fertility control methods and to the important role of maternal-child health clinics. Taking into account the social-demographic characteristics of women who are currently undergoing abortion, further reductions are undoubtedly possible, especially if maternal-child health services

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