Human Development Minister shares her pro-choice views on abortion

Minister of Human Development Thea Garcia-Ramirez says she is pro-choice, adding her personal voice to the abortion debate that has unfolded over the past two weeks.  The renewed discussion began with the Belize Family Life Association’s call for abortion law reform around International Safe Abortion Day on September 28. BFLA Executive Director Joan Burke-Skeen argued that criminal penalties can push women and girls toward unsafe procedures. The association wants the issue addressed through public health and reproductive rights, with better access to safe care.  That position drew opposition from Church Senator Louis Wade Junior, who has publicly rejected moves to legalise abortion.  Garcia-Ramirez has now shared where she stands. Speaking in her personal capacity, the minister expressed her support for choice. Here is what she had to say.

Thea Garcia Ramirez, Minister of Human Development: “My position, my personal position, of course nothing has come to government, nothing has come to cabinet. But I believe in rights, human rights, I believe in women’s rights, I believe in having a choice and I always believe that if we’re going to make an error, we should make an error in giving people more rights, more choices and have them decide and have autonomy especially women autonomy over their own bodies. So if we’re going to have an error, it’s always giving more rights just in case somebody needs it for whatever reason. I believe strongly in women’s autonomy over their body, over themselves. And that’s my personal position as a woman, as a Belizean woman.”

Her comment now adds a minister’s personal perspective to a debate that has brought competing views on women’s reproductive rights, access to healthcare and the protection of unborn children into public discussion.