The impact of third-party authorization requirements on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence

Fiona de Londras; Amanda Cleeve; Maria I. Rodriguez; Alana Farrell; Magdalena Furgalska; Antonella F. Lavelanet

doi:10.1186/s12889-023-16307-1

The impact of third-party authorization requirements on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence

Fiona de Londras^*
, Amanda Cleeve
, Maria I. Rodriguez
, Alana Farrell
, Magdalena Furgalska
, Antonella F. Lavelanet

^*Corresponding author for this work

Birmingham Law School

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

Objectives: This review synthesizes legal and health evidence to demonstrate the negative health and human rights impacts of third-party authorization requirements (TPAs) on abortion seekers.

Results: The synthesized evidence substantiates the pre-existing position in international human rights law that any requirements that abortion be authorized by third parties like parents, spouses, committees, and courts create barriers to abortion, should not be introduced at all, or should be repealed where they exist.

Conclusions: The review establishes that rights-based regulation of abortion should not impose TPAs in any circumstances. Instead, the provision and management of abortion should be treated in a manner cognizant with the general principles of informed consent in international human rights law, presuming capacity in all adults regardless of marital status and treatment sought, and recognizing the evolving capacity of young people in line with their internationally-protected rights.

Original language	English
Article number	2065
Number of pages	16
Journal	BMC Public Health
Volume	23
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16307-1
Publication status	Published - 23 Oct 2023

Bibliographical note

This work was supported by the UNDP-UNFPA‐UNICEF‐WHO‐World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), a cosponsored programme executed by the WHO (AL) (https://www.who.int/teams/sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-research-(srh)/human-reproduction-programme). FdL also acknowledges the support of the Leverhulme Trust through the Philip Leverhulme Prize (FdL) https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Abortion
Reproductive rights
Abortion law
Third party authorization requirements

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Law

Access to Document

10.1186/s12889-023-16307-1Licence: Creative Commons: Attribution (CC BY)

deLondrasF2023Impact.pdfFinal published version, 1.36 MBLicence: Creative Commons: Attribution (CC BY)

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The impact of criminalisation on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence: a synthesis of legal and health evidence
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Open Access
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The impact of mandatory waiting periods on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence
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Open Access
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The impact of provider restrictions on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence
De Londras, F., Cleeve, A., Rodriguez, M., Farrell, A., Furgalska, M. & Lavelanet, A., 18 Apr 2022, In: Reproductive Health. 19, 95, 10 p., 95.
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The impact of ‘grounds’ on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence
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Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
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175 Downloads (Pure)

WHO Development Phase of Maternal and Perinatal Health and Preventing Unsafe Abortion Team
de Londras, F. (Principal Investigator)
World Health Organisation
22/08/22 → 31/05/23
Project: Research
Maternal and Perinatal Health and Preventing Unsafe Abortion Team
de Londras, F. (Principal Investigator)
World Health Organisation
1/08/19 → 30/06/20
Project: Research

Cite this

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abstract = "Objectives: This review synthesizes legal and health evidence to demonstrate the negative health and human rights impacts of third-party authorization requirements (TPAs) on abortion seekers. Results: The synthesized evidence substantiates the pre-existing position in international human rights law that any requirements that abortion be authorized by third parties like parents, spouses, committees, and courts create barriers to abortion, should not be introduced at all, or should be repealed where they exist. Conclusions: The review establishes that rights-based regulation of abortion should not impose TPAs in any circumstances. Instead, the provision and management of abortion should be treated in a manner cognizant with the general principles of informed consent in international human rights law, presuming capacity in all adults regardless of marital status and treatment sought, and recognizing the evolving capacity of young people in line with their internationally-protected rights. ",

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N1 - This work was supported by the UNDP-UNFPA‐UNICEF‐WHO‐World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), a cosponsored programme executed by the WHO (AL) (https://www.who.int/teams/sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-research-(srh)/human-reproduction-programme). FdL also acknowledges the support of the Leverhulme Trust through the Philip Leverhulme Prize (FdL) https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk.

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N2 - Objectives: This review synthesizes legal and health evidence to demonstrate the negative health and human rights impacts of third-party authorization requirements (TPAs) on abortion seekers. Results: The synthesized evidence substantiates the pre-existing position in international human rights law that any requirements that abortion be authorized by third parties like parents, spouses, committees, and courts create barriers to abortion, should not be introduced at all, or should be repealed where they exist. Conclusions: The review establishes that rights-based regulation of abortion should not impose TPAs in any circumstances. Instead, the provision and management of abortion should be treated in a manner cognizant with the general principles of informed consent in international human rights law, presuming capacity in all adults regardless of marital status and treatment sought, and recognizing the evolving capacity of young people in line with their internationally-protected rights.

AB - Objectives: This review synthesizes legal and health evidence to demonstrate the negative health and human rights impacts of third-party authorization requirements (TPAs) on abortion seekers. Results: The synthesized evidence substantiates the pre-existing position in international human rights law that any requirements that abortion be authorized by third parties like parents, spouses, committees, and courts create barriers to abortion, should not be introduced at all, or should be repealed where they exist. Conclusions: The review establishes that rights-based regulation of abortion should not impose TPAs in any circumstances. Instead, the provision and management of abortion should be treated in a manner cognizant with the general principles of informed consent in international human rights law, presuming capacity in all adults regardless of marital status and treatment sought, and recognizing the evolving capacity of young people in line with their internationally-protected rights.

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The impact of third-party authorization requirements on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Research output

Projects

Cite this