The Consequences of Making Abortion Illegal in Conservative Countries
- Althea Daño
- Sep 14, 2025
- 3 min read
Many people use contraception to prevent pregnancy. Methods include condoms, birth control pills, hormonal implants, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and contraceptive injections. These methods work by preventing the release of eggs, blocking the union of sperm and egg, or making the uterine lining unsuitable for implantation. Access to contraception varies worldwide. For example, in the Philippines, most contraceptive methods are legally permitted, but availability remains limited in rural areas.
When contraception fails or is not used, some individuals may consider terminating a pregnancy. In the Philippines, abortion is illegal under all circumstances, including cases of rape or when the mother’s life is at risk, and is punishable under the Revised Penal Code (Articles 256–259). Nevertheless, some still resort to medical abortion. A common drug is misoprostol, sold under the brand name Cytotec. Originally used for treating ulcers and inducing labor, it can, when used “off-label,” cause uterine contractions that expel the pregnancy. Sometimes it is combined with mifepristone, which blocks progesterone necessary to maintain pregnancy. According to the World Health Organization, this combination is considered the safest and most effective method, but in the Philippines, both drugs are prohibited for abortion purposes (Guttmacher Institute, 2023).
Because of these restrictions, some women choose to travel to countries where abortion is legal. Nearby countries like Singapore, Vietnam, and Cambodia have more lenient laws, though specific regulations differ. In some places, early-term abortions are allowed on request, while in others, they require specific reasons, such as health risks. Cross-border abortion often involves high costs, legal risks upon returning home, and emotional stress, especially when done secretly.
Strict laws do not effectively prevent women from terminating unintended pregnancies; instead, they push those determined to have abortions toward underground methods. In countries with restrictive laws, wealthier women may sometimes access qualified doctors for abortions, but the poor often cannot reach these underground networks. For example, in Guatemala, 37% of the population lives on less than $2 per day, while the estimated cost of illegal abortions (performed by private doctors or clinics) ranges from $128 to $1,026. In Uganda, 97% of the population lives on less than $2 per day, and professional abortion services cost $6–58. In Pakistan, 66% of the population lives on less than $2 per day, and doctor-assisted abortions cost on average $50–104 (Guttmacher Institute, 2009).
When contraception fails or is not used, women in conservative countries often lack options for terminating unintended pregnancies. In the Philippines, abortion is completely illegal—even in cases of rape or life-threatening pregnancies—forcing many to rely on secret and often unsafe methods, or to seek services abroad.
By contrast, Taiwan has a more lenient but still limited system. Abortion was legalized under the 1985 Genetic Health Act, allowing termination under specific conditions, including threats to
the woman’s physical or mental health, cases of rape or incest, and severe fetal abnormalities. Legal access is still restricted: married women require spousal consent, and minors require parental consent. At the same time, Taiwan’s Criminal Code (Articles 288–292) criminalizes abortions beyond these allowances, with women facing up to six months’ imprisonment and doctors performing the procedure facing three to ten years (Taiwan Criminal Code).
Even with legal openings, social stigma and conservative culture deeply affect abortion access in Taiwan. Many women face societal judgment or are forced to remain silent, and the consent requirement makes rape or domestic abuse survivors particularly vulnerable, pushing them toward unsafe alternatives or preventing them from seeking care altogether. Feminist and reproductive rights groups in Taiwan continue to advocate for reform, calling for the removal of spousal and parental consent requirements and full decriminalization of abortion to align the law with international human rights standards ([IU Maurer Global Forum, 2023]).
Conclusion
Evidence shows that restrictive abortion laws do not eliminate the practice; instead, they push it underground, endangering women’s health and disproportionately harming poor populations. The Philippines’ complete ban illustrates this, where women face risks without safe or legal options. Taiwan demonstrates that even a “semi-legal” framework, with consent requirements and criminal penalties, can create harmful barriers. Both models highlight how legal and cultural conservatism undermines reproductive rights.
A humane and evidence-based position is clear: abortion should be treated as a public health and human rights issue, not a crime. Countries should not only legalize abortion but also remove consent barriers, ensure affordable medical access, and reduce social stigma. Doing so safeguards women’s autonomy, saves lives, and aligns reproductive health policies with international standards of dignity and equality.
Sources:
● Guttmacher Institute – “Unintended Pregnancy and Unsafe Abortion in the Philippines: Context and Consequences”
https://www.guttmacher.org/report/unintended-pregnancy-and-unsafe-abortion-philippines-contex t-and-consequences
● Wikipedia – “Abortion in the Philippines”
● Wikipedia – “Abortion in Taiwan”
● Global Taiwan – “Taiwan’s Enduring Controversies Over Abortion Laws”
● IU Maurer Global Forum – “A Quick Review of the Abortion Debates and Their Developments in Taiwan and the United States”
https://blogs.iu.edu/maurerglobalforum/2023/11/13/a-quick-review-of-the-abortion debates-and-their-developments-in-taiwan-and-the-united-states/