On Thursday, it was declared by the Supreme Court that unmarried women are also allowed to terminate their pregnancy in a period of 20-24 weeks, coming from a consensual relationship.
The presiding judge of the bench, Justice Chandrachud said, “If Rule 3B(c) is understood as only for married women, it would perpetuate the stereotype that only married women indulge in sexual activities. This is not constitutionally sustainable. The artificial distinction between married and unmarried women cannot be sustained. Women must have autonomy to have free exercise of these rights,” reported Live Law.
The court added that, “The rights of reproductive autonomy gives an unmarried women similar rights as a married woman.”
