Debunking Abortion Myths in Belgium: Reliable Information Campaign by Sofélia

2023-11-14 14:18:09

Many prejudices circulate, relayed by multiple sites, which is why Sofélia wishes to bring reliable information into the public space with this campaign. “This concerns absolutely everyone. The population who attends the schedules is diverse and varied and professionals indicate that they must deconstruct many prejudices regardless of the profile of the person.” underlines Margot Foubert.

Among these prejudices, Sofélia mainly highlighted five:

In Belgium, since 1990, abortion has been decriminalized and is only a right according to the terms of the Law: abortion must be carried out before the 12th week and respect a reflection period of six days. “If we do not respect these conditions, we can be punished criminally, both the doctor and the woman who aborts. We demand an abolition of these criminal sanctions […] Extending the legal deadline is also important for us because every year, we still have 400 women who go to the Netherlands because they have exceeded the legal deadline.” specifies communications manager & continuing education manager at Sofélia. However, at 12 weeks, the baby measures only 10 centimeters, recounts Sofélia’s campaign. This is why abortion is still authorized up to 24 weeks for the moment in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Margot Foubert, project manager at Sofélia explains that in Belgium, the average age for an abortion is 29 years : “Minors represent +/- 5%, the majority of whom are 17 years old“.

Margot Foubert reports that 56% of abortions were carried out while the woman was using contraception. These are not necessarily oversights, no contraception is 100% reliable. We claim the importance of contraception education“.

Dafter the surveys carried out in the schedules, iThis is the prejudice that comes up most often” she explains: “It comes from a time when abortion was not carried out as it is now, in a secure medical setting. Another prejudice, widespread especially in far-right circles, is that abortion can be experienced as an experience of comfort..

Abortion can cause discomfort, “but thisis not necessarily true […] Often this fact is linked to support and a non-supportive entourage unlike what we offer in our planning centers. It is important that someone supports the process ofabortion from start to finish to explain the why, the how, the deadlines as well as the question of contraception afterwards if the person wishes it“.

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