By Zoila Palma: The Belize Family Life Association (BFLA) is renewing its call for changes to Belize’s abortion laws, arguing that criminal penalties can contribute to unsafe care and that abortion should be addressed within the public health system. The position was outlined by Executive Director Joan Burke-Skeen in a statement marking International Safe Abortion Day, while church senator Louis Wade Jr. has publicly opposed any move to legalize abortion.
Burke-Skeen said that the organization is seeking changes to the existing legal framework as well as improved reproductive health services. “It’s not about just promoting abortion. It is about promoting the safety and in so doing then the removal of the criminalization of abortion,” Skeen said.
BFLA says it is also working with partners on advocacy and discussions with government officials. “Our partnership with Aspire is to create this level of awareness but also to do some advocacy for the necessary changes as we talk about women’s rights and women’s reproductive health and rights,” Burke-Skeen added.
Wade, meanwhile, has taken a firm position against legalization, stating that he would oppose such a move. “The Abortion of Belizean babies will NOT be Legalized, not on my watch, you baby killers,” Wade said.
He also raised concerns about Belize’s declining fertility rate and population growth, while arguing that demographic changes should be considered in the debate. “Belizean fertility rates have fallen to 1.9 which is below the 2.1 replacement level,” Wade added.
The post “Not on my watch”: Church senator rejects Abortion legalization as BFLA seeks reform appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: The Belize Family Life Association (BFLA) is renewing its call for changes to Belize’s abortion laws, arguing that criminal penalties can contribute to unsafe care and that abortion should be addressed within the public health system. The position was outlined by Executive Director Joan Burke-Skeen in a statement marking International Safe Abortion
The post “Not on my watch”: Church senator rejects Abortion legalization as BFLA seeks reform appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.