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Abortions in BW: Why women have to make a decision
The article highlights current developments on the topic of abortion in the Ostalbkreis, including statistics, completed consultations and challenges in medical care.
Abortions in BW: Why women have to make a decision
What concerns women in Germany when it comes to abortion? A look at the current figures in Baden-Württemberg shows that in 2024 a total of 97,507 women carried their pregnancy to term, while 11,075 decided to have an abortion. This decision is often not easy and is often influenced by financial insecurities, family support and personal life circumstances. Schwäbische Post reports on consultants like Jana Müller and Kirsten Schmitz, who work in the Profamilia association and support women during this difficult time.
Statistics show that a significant proportion of women who have an abortion already have children: 57.6 percent of women who made this decision in 2023 were mothers. The ELSA study, which has provided valuable insights into the life situations of unintentionally pregnant women over the years, also shows that 92.4 percent of women are satisfied with their decision in retrospect. Nutrition, living situation and partnership – many factors play a role here.
The Reality of Medical Care
The ELSA study by the Federal Ministry of Health also reveals sobering truths about medical care. In 85 of 400 districts, access to abortion facilities is inadequate. This particularly affects women in rural regions of southern and western Germany. According to Die Zeit, around 4.5 million people live in these poorly supplied areas, which corresponds to 5.4 percent of the total population. The situation is particularly alarming in Bavaria, with 2.5 million people affected.
Stigma is another big issue. According to the study, around 83.5 percent of women who have had an abortion feel stigmatized. It's not just the financial hurdles that are important - the costs for an abortion vary between 201 and over 600 euros, and more than half of these procedures are paid for out of your own pocket.
Legal framework and challenges
The legal framework is also a major challenge. Section 218 of the Criminal Code, which regulates abortion, creates uncertainty when dealing with the issue. Even if pregnant women are allowed to have abortions without punishment under certain conditions, this puts doctors in an unpleasant position. Liberalization - which is currently not being sought by the black-red coalition - could perhaps provide more clarity here, or at least they want to expand the coverage of costs by health insurance companies.
The general conditions for pregnancy are complex in many ways. It turns out that society must not only take legal regulations into account, but also medical care and the stigmatization of women. Given the numbers and experience reports, it is clear that there is still a lot to be done to make it easier for women to make decisions and give them the support they need. After all, the satisfaction of many women after an abortion could be a positive sign for the discussion on this sensitive topic.