Head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
(Picture: AP)Head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has criticised the US Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade, calling it a “setback” that would cost lives.
The decision has meant millions of women in the country will lose the legal right to terminate pregnancies.
At a media briefing on Wednesday, WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said limiting access to safe abortion costs lives, particularly on women from the poorest communities.
He said all women should have the right to choose when it comes to their bodies and health, “full stop”.
“Safe abortion is health care,” he said.
“It saves lives. Restricting it drives women and girls towards unsafe abortions; resulting in complications, even death.”
Mr Ghebreyesus said the evidence is “irrefutable”.
LIVE: media briefing on #COVID19 and other global health issues with @DrTedros https://t.co/kZnkKcfH9C
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) June 29, 2022
“Over the last 40 years, the global trend is toward women having greater access to safe abortion and while last week was a set-back, it is more important than ever to come together to protect women’s right to safe abortion - everywhere.”
At least 20 states are expected to introduce new restrictions or bans, while some have already outlawed abortion, following the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Since 1973, a woman’s right to abortion has been protected by the US consitution, following the Roe v Wade ruling.
The case granted women the absolute right to abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Some government regulation was allowed in the second trimester, and states could restrict or ban abortions in the third trimester.
Roe v Wade also allowed women to get an abortion in the third trimester if doctors deemed it necessary to save her life or her health.
Now that Roe v Wade has been overturned, individual states are now able to ban or severely restrict abortions.
