Abortion Stats Show New Strategy Needed

The Statistics NZ data released today showing a 6.5% increase in abortions for the 2003 year1 shows once again that current Government strategies to reduce abortion are not working, and a fresh new approach is needed. Christian Heritage NZ leader Ewen McQueen said today that the current strategy focussed primarily on sex education and increased subsidies for contraception. However he noted that,

“The data shows that most abortions in New Zealand (over 80%)2 are performed on adult women, not naïve teenagers pregnant due to a lack of sex education. And research has shown that affordability of contraception is a problem for only a small minority of these women (approx 12%).3 Given this we should not be surprised that the relying on sex education and contraception to reduce the abortion rate has failed.”

The CHNZ leader said a new approach was needed that focussed on the underlying causes of unwanted pregnancies. The main one was the move away from marriage and towards more casual relationships. The data shows that nearly 90% of women undergoing abortions are not married, but are either single or in de-facto relationships.4 McQueen said,

“It is clear that for many pregnant women, having a partner who is not formally committed to them, let alone their unborn child, is a major factor in their decision not to continue the pregnancy. In light of this we clearly need public policy aimed at rebuilding a culture which affirms marriage, and the safety net of parental commitment that it provides for unborn children.”

The Christian Heritage NZ leader noted that unfortunately the current Government was committed to policy such as the Civil Unions Bill that further undermined the social significance of marriage. This needed to change if the abortion rate was to be reduced. He said,

“To turn the tide against abortion we urgently need political leadership willing to encourage and promote marriage – not undermine it.”

Ewen McQueen

Party Leader

Christian Heritage NZ

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