DURING the Earth Summit, 1992 held at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil the attempt by the countries of the north to blame population, as the main culprit of environmental degradation was not successful.

Most of us know why there are great concerns about demographic growth. As we meet, there are about 5.5 billion human beings, halfway between five and six billion. We add over a quarter of a million people to the earth every, day, day after day.

Most cultures have systematically denied women an equal and autonomous voice on every issue from the election of public officials to the control of their own bodies and lives. When women have organized or spoken out, a degree of social change has followed.

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, is a landmark piece of legislation in India that regulates the conditions under which a pregnancy may be legally terminated.

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021, represents a significant update to India's existing abortion laws, reflecting evolving societal attitudes towards reproductive rights and healthcare.