Roe v. Wade anniversary: Study says 'unsafe' abortions on rise

Fifty-eight countries are considered permissive of abortions, including the United States, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.  However, the laws vary, with some imposing requirements like waiting periods or required counseling prior to receiving an abortion.  Western Europe and the Nordic states are considered some of the most permissive based on access, says Ms. Fine.  These regions have legalized abortions with limited restrictions including a requirement for parental approval in Norway or limits based on the age of the fetus in countries like Sweden and Germany.  
 
Just because abortion is legal, however, doesn’t always mean it is safe for all women.  India and Great Britain are both considered moderately permissive, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights rankings.  But in India, two-thirds of abortions are still unsafe because its laws have not been adequately implemented, says Ms. Fine.  “Women can access abortion in accordance with the law in urban settings, but not in rural settings,” she says citing a lack of clinics and trained providers outside of large cities.
 
“It takes time to get enough trained providers to bring safe and quality services,” says Ms. Solter. “It was the same in the US [after Roe v. Wade]. No [gynecologists] had been trained in abortion for many years, and all of a sudden the law changed.… It took a while to institutionally kick in.”