SACP Policy Statement on Abortion

The South African Communist Party believes that every woman has the right to control
over her own body and thus the right to make independent reproductive decisions.

In addition, every woman therefore should have the right to choose whetheror not she
wishes to terminate a pregnancy.

Facilities for the termination of pregnancy should be provided by the state in such a
manner that they are accessible, safe, hygienic and free.

Counselling services must be available to all women (and, if desired, their partners)
so that they are able to exercise fully their freedom of choice. In addition, sympathetic,
professional, non-judgemental counselling services need to be provided both before and
after an abortion for any woman who requires them.

Women who choose to have an abortion also have the right to privacy and protection from
its opponents, as do all professional staff providing any linked service.

It is essential that the issue of abortion is not dealt with in isolation from the
general struggle for the full empowerment of women, both educationally and economically.
It is only when women have the complete freedom of control over their own lives that they
will be in a position to make educated and well considered decisions regarding their own
reproductive lives.

The SACP, noting that this is not an issue which should be relegated to the
Constitutional Court, thus calls for the repeal of present abortion laws and the creation
of new legislation entrenching the rights of women to abortion.

June 1995