History of Menstrual Regulation in Bangladesh
Only in order to save the life of a pregnant women, induced abortion is permitted in Bangladesh. Initially in 1979, legalization of abortion on medical and social grounds was proposed which didn’t take action. Bangladesh Government included menstrual regulation (MR) in the national family planning program and encouraged doctors and paramedics to provide MR in all government hospitals and health and family planning complexes. The Government considers menstrual regulation to be an “interim method of establishing non-pregnancy for a woman at risk of being pregnant, whether or not she actually is pregnant.” Nearly 8000 doctors and 6500 paramedics now provide MR services in government clinics throughout the country, in addition to those providers who work in private MR clinics. Despite the widespread availability of legal and safe MR services, however, many young women resort to illegal and unsafe abortion.
This report explains the sexual and reproductive health situation of women in Bangladesh. It also reflects the available data on young women’s experiences with menstrual regulation and induced abortion.
Reference:
Akhter, H. H., Dalal, K., Lee, M. S., Gifford, M., SM, M. K., Bosch, A., … & Nahar, Q. (2012). Menstrual regulation among adolescents in Bangladesh: risks and experiences. Journal of Adolescent Health, 50(5), 123-126.