Pratigya Campaign

for Gender Equality and Safe Abortion

2019 at a glance

2019 was a year of many firsts for the campaign. From publishing our first set of research reports to going social, Pratigya Campaign made significant strides to take the advocacy around safe abortion forward. As we step into 2020 with renewed energy and commitments towards gender equality, we are delighted to look back at the year gone by and share our achievements with you.

We’re now 110 partners strong

Two key reports published

‘Availability of Medical Abortion Drugs across four states in India’

The report provided invaluable insights into a woman's ability to procure Medical Abortion Drugs in the markets of four Indian states - Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. The study was conducted among a sample of 1008 retail chemists and revealed that only 26.3% chemists were stocking MA drugs in their retail shops.

‘Assessing the Judiciary’s Role in Access to Safe Abortion’

This report analyses Supreme Court and High Court judgements on abortion requests highlighting the patterns and inconsistencies in how the judiciary enforces the abortion law in India. Between June 1, 2016-February 3, 2018, 194 women filed petitions at the Supreme Court and various High Courts, seeking permission to terminate their pregnancies.

Digital Campaigns for change

#48years of the MTP Act

August 13, 2019

In 1971, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (MTP) was passed in Parliament. This act legalised abortion in India under a broad range of conditions. Facts on the MTP Act and the need for amendments were discussed to raise awareness around the law in India.

#ISAD2019

September 30, 2019

On International Safe Abortion Day, the campaign launched its report on ‘Assessing Judiciary’s role in Access to Safe Abortion in India’. The event was attended by experts like Honorable (Retd.)Justice Mridula Bhatkar, senior lawyer and human rights activist Vrinda Grover, author and advocate Anubha Rastogi and a panel discussion was held which was covered on our social media channels. One of the main topics discussed was the need for amendments to the abortion law in India.

#EVAW2019

November 25, 2019

To mark the International day for Elimination of Violence against women, we hosted a discussion with our friends in media at the Family Planning Association in Mumbai. Discussions were held on the various manifestations of violence that come with denial of abortion and on recognizing abortion access as a necessity to achieving gender equality. On our social media platforms, we raised awareness around this cause.

Our voice heard in 94 publications

Editorials featured

Key Coverages Garnered

• Rape survivors among 194 women seeking court nod for abortion in three years: Study

October 01, 2019

• SC Seeks Centre’s Reply on PIL Against Abortion Laws

July 16, 2019

• Abortions & Judicial Support: How Do Our Courts Perform?

October 04, 2019

• Women’s empowerment is incomplete without access to safe abortion, but this just got worse

September 28, 2019

Join Us!

Imagine an assault survivor knocking at several doors for safe abortion, is denied; succumbs, tries to end self, but fate mocks, the ‘well’ where she wanted to end her life runs dry due to severe draught! Fortunately, she gets help soon enough from a civil society organisation, and gets safe abortion services! While she was able to get the healthcare she needed, there are thousands whose story does not end on this note. Many are unable to reclaim their lives. Abortion is healthcare, it is women’s reproductive choice, and it must be respected.