Abortion Reform Has Not Reached Human Development Ministry, Minister Garcia-Ramirez Says

Minister of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs, Thea Garcia-Ramirez, says the Belize Family Life Association has not brought anything to her ministry regarding the decriminalization of abortion. Her comments come as the association’s call for reform continues to generate public debate. While BFLA has outlined its position publicly, Garcia-Ramirez says the matter has not been presented to her ministry.

Thea Garcia Ramirez, Minister of Human Development and Gender Affairs: “You want my personal opinion because there’s no position taken by government and I don’t see any revision in legislature for abortion at this point in time. So until I have something concrete that you need a response with, then I’ll be able to do that. I have no information that BFLA has reached out to the Ministry of Human Development, Family Support or Gender Affairs with any discussions in relation to abortion. I don’t see any evidence to support what you’ve said. I mean, I don’t know what we’re debating. I don’t see any…..I see a lot on social media but nothing has come to my attention where we are discussing abortion, pro-choice, or pro-life. And so until that comes to us in a formal and concrete matter then I think government and I think cabinet will sit down and discuss that and we will have one cohesive, coherent position to put forward and until that time, that is my answer.”

The renewed discussion followed BFLA’s advocacy around International Safe Abortion Day on September twenty-eighth. Executive Director Joan Burke-Skeen argued that criminal penalties can push women and girls toward unsafe procedures. The association is calling for greater access to safe care and an approach centred on public health and reproductive rights. That position has drawn opposition from Church Senator Louis Wade Junior, who has publicly rejected moves to legalise abortion.  Garcia-Ramirez has expressed personal support for a woman’s right to choose but stressed that her views do not represent official Government policy. The Government has not announced plans to amend the existing legislation. Love News understands that BFLA intends to pursue discussions with government officials, but the minister says no approach has been made to her ministry on decriminalization./