Sawraj Singh’s June 15 letter fails to discuss a key issue–women’s reproductive health and rights. Although there is no question that India’s population has expanded, the real question is how to improve the quality of life of each person. In looking at the reality of lives, the truth is that it is often women, especially women of the Indian sub-continent, who do not enjoy equality, reproductive autonomy and health. In India, violence against women is rampant, maternal mortality rates are among the highest in the world, most abortions are illegal and sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV/AIDS, are on the rise.
Any answer to the problems of nations such as India must include measures to promote women’s rights and to ensure their reproductive health.
