A Taiwanese feminist group has condemned a government plan requiring young women and girls to undergo clinical consultations before having abortions.Chi Hui-rong, head of the Garden of Hope Foundation said it was unwarranted interference in their lives and that the government should offer help instead of interference.
She said the government has discouraged a proposal to establish a hot line to offer professional counselling to pregnant girls, apparently because it fears it would encourage more abortions.
Under the plan, anyone 18 or younger seeking an abortion would be have to undergo a consultation on abortion alternatives, including marriage, adoption and foster care. Taiwanese law already requires teenage girls seeking abortions to obtain their parents' consent.
