By Kate Chappell, Thomson Reuters Foundation
6 Min Read
* Jamaican law bans abortion with a penalty of life in jail
* Lawmaker Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn is pushing for decriminalisation
KINGSTON, Feb 18 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Midway through sex, Trishana’s boyfriend removed the condom she’d told him to use, resulting in an unwanted pregnancy and the prospect of life in jail if she was caught terminating it.
Trishana’s gynaecologist agreed to perform an abortion in his clinic after hours for about $300, although he could have been jailed for three years if caught.
“It was definitely was the right decision to make. I’m still a 20-something figuring life out,” said Trishana, who declined to publish her real name but plans to anonymously submit her story to Abortion Jamaica, a website set up last month.