The feminist group Taiwan Women Link has taken issue with a draft bill requiring women to receive compulsory psychological counselling prior to receiving abortions.
The proposal, initiated by KMT Legislator Chiang Chi-weng (江綺雯), would tack on to the Genetic Health Law limitations on a woman's right to get an abortion by forcing them to first undergo two hours of counselling with a psychologist and a six-day cooling off period.
Huang Shu-ying (黃淑英), president of Taiwan Women Link, told a news conference that the proposal discriminates against women by treating those intending to get an abortion as mental patients.
Huang said that the draft bill is an attempt to make religious doctrine into secular law, adding that it infringes on women's right of control over their own bodies.
She added that the bill, if passed, would not reduce the number of abortions but will instead force women to seek abortions through illegal channels. The key to reducing the number of abortions is preventing unexpected pregnancies through contraception, not limiting access to abortion, she said.
Kao Tien-fu (高添富), a leader of the Taiwan Association of Gynecologists, supported Huang's views at the news conference, warning that stricter limitations on abortions would lead to the prevalence of illegal abortions.
Meanwhile the draft bill's sponsor Legislator Chiang said her proposal is designed to balance the rights of women with those of unborn children. Pointing out that women can speak out for themselves, Chiang asked who will stand up for the unborn children.
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