On September 24, the Human Rights Monument will be surrounded by pink flags commemorating the victims of sex selective abortion. Despite our commitment to gender equality, the practice of sex selective abortion is legal and happens in Canada. MP Cathay Wagantall and other Members of Parliament will be attending the flag display. MP Wagantall put forward a private member’s bill earlier this year to criminalize this discriminatory practice. We Need a Law, a pro-life organization advocating for laws restricting abortion, heartily supports Wagantall’s proposed Sex Selective Abortion Act.
Tabitha Ewert, legal counsel for We Need a Law hopes the bill will draw attention to an injustice facing girls in Canada. “This issue needs to be brought to the light and addressed head on,” Ewert said. “Sex selection happens because of and through sex selective abortions. We cannot claim to be advancing women’s rights when women are being disproportionately targeted by abortion. We need this national conversation and a clear law that prohibits sex selective abortion.”
Several research studies over the past few years have shown that sex selective abortion is indeed happening in Canada. Ewert pointed out the inconsistencies in Canadian law as it pertains to discrimination based on sex. “The Assisted Human Reproduction Act prohibits sex selection when it comes to in vitro fertilization. But once the embryo develops into a fetus, sex selection is freely allowed via abortion.”
Polls show that the vast majority of Canadians are opposed to the idea of sex-selective abortion, and We Need a Law calls on government officials to enact laws reflecting this. “There is much that divides us as country and especially on the issue of abortion. But we can all come together in condemning sex selective abortion.” said Ewert.
Details
Event: Pink flag display commemorating the victims of sex selective abortions
Date: September 24, 2020
Time: 11:00AM – 1:00PM
Location: Human Rights Monument (220 Elgin Street) (MP Wagantall will be available to the media)
For further comment or images to accompany story, please contact:
Tabitha Ewert (EDT) at (604) 220-1258 // info@weneedalaw.ca