74 pc of ‘pregnancy caused by rape’ reported from BMC’s E ward last year: RTI
In an alarming rate of abortion in Mumbai, data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) revealed that 74 per cent cases (37 out of 50 cases) of ‘forced abortion’ in a year are from Byculla’s E ward. , Portions of Ray Road, Wadi Bandar, Maulana Shaukat Ali Road.
Data collected through the Right to Information (RTI) Act from the BMC’s Public Health Department reveals that out of 50 cases, 37 cases of abortion under ‘rape-induced pregnancy’ are from the E ward, the rest Case (8 cases) f. -Two cases in South Ward (Parel), K-West (Andheri West, Vile Pale West) and one case each in H-East, N (Ghatkopar East) and S Wards (Bhandup West).
The data further revealed that out of a total of 30,092 women who underwent abortions in Mumbai between January 2022 and January 2023, 17 were young girls below the age of 15 years while 331 of them were in the age group of 15 to 19 years.
Of the 17 girls (under 15) who opted for abortion, 10 minors are from E Ward, followed by four from F-North Ward (King Circle, Matunga Central Region) and one each from P-North. . R-South and F-South wards.
Further, of the 331 cases (between 15-19 years of age) who opted for abortion, 42 are from K-West ward and 33 (the second number of cases) from E ward.
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According to the POCSO ACT and the MTP Act, a pregnant minor girl who is married/unmarried is considered a victim of sexual assault, and a medical provider is required to report the pregnancy to the appropriate authorities, even if the girl has taken Will not be expressed. Legal action.
Dr Nikhil Datar, gynaecologist, and judicial activist said, “It is difficult to say whether the cases of 15-19-year-olds were abused or whether they voluntarily entered into the relationship. Due to the POCSO Act, Young people under the age of 18 who are pregnant are reported to be rape victims. So even if the girl voluntarily consents to a relationship or is married under age, the case is statistically classified as ‘rape’. will be recorded as ‘pregnancy’.”
He added, “As all abortion cases under the age of 18 are mandated to be reported, along with increased awareness that abortions can be terminated by the 20th week, the rate of illegal abortions in the city has decreased. is.”
These numbers raise concerns about girls who are victims of rape and the prevalence of early marriage.
RTI activist Chetan Kothari said, “In a particular ward statistics, many minor girls are getting abortions and the same ward has the highest number of abortions because the pregnancy was due to rape. Municipal Corporation should conduct awareness campaign and make young girls aware by creating awareness. They should be vigilant and share data with the police as well. “
The data also revealed that 4,472 cases of abortions were reported between the age group of 20 to 24 years. Dr Ashok Anand, head of gynecology department at JJ Hospital said, “Most of the youth opt for abortion because the woman is not healthy and is anemic. We have recorded at least 19 cases of abortion in two months this year so far.
JJ Hospital, which deals with cases from underprivileged, poor social and economic backgrounds, has recorded at least 19 abortion cases since January 2023 this year and around 145 last year.
Further, the data reveals, out of a total of 30,092 abortion cases, 3,016 cases (highest number) are from K-West wards, followed by K-East, P-North, F-North and S wards with over 2,000 each. There are more cases.
