Dr. Henry Morgentaler Honored By Canadian Government
The 85 year-old Holocaust survivor will receive his award later this year to honor the almost forty years of service towards women he has done. From opening an illegal clinic in 1969 and facing jail time to provide safe abortions for women to his landmark trial in 1983 that caused the regulations on abortion to be removed.
At a press conference Tuesday Dr. Morgentalor said
"Women no longer die as a result of abortion," he said on Wednesday, "and I'm very proud of that."
I can't get help but get that warm, fuzzy feeling inside over this. To see a doctor that worked so hard to help women and save lives actually being honored is amazing. To be recognized by officials and to see his work as so honored is not just about him, but also about women's rights in Canada as a whole. Of course there have been some anti-choice and religious groups speaking out against this, but fortunately they are in the minority. An Angus Reid poll in June found that the majority of Canadians are in favor of abortion in at least certain circumstances.
49 per cent of respondents think abortion should be legal under any circumstances.
Conversely, 42 per cent of respondents would allow the procedure only under certain circumstances, while five per cent would make abortion illegal in all circumstances.
Conversely, 42 per cent of respondents would allow the procedure only under certain circumstances, while five per cent would make abortion illegal in all circumstances.
Sources: Reuters, The Ottawa Citizen, Feminist Daily News
Mike Pouraryan
