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<p>Nearly two months after approving abortion pill use in the country, Japan is set to permit the sale of emergency contraceptives without prescription on a trial basis. The move means Japan will likely join dozens of other countries where the morning-after pill is conveniently available over-the-counter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A ministry panel on Monday approved the sale of the pill through March at pharmacies that have trained pharmacists, private rooms and can be available on weekends, nights and holidays, according to Japanese media.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The trial sale idea of abortion pills had received strong public support. After the health ministry panel invited the public to submit comments on the issue, more than 90 per cent of the 46,312 respondents, replied in favour of the move.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The current rules dictated that women, including victims of sexual assault, had to go to a hospital or clinic to obtain a prescription for the emergency contraceptive. However, since the pill is best effective within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, the bureaucratic hassle proved to be an impediment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the morning-after-pills are considered 95 per cent effective if taken within 24 hours, but that figure plummets to 85 per cent within 25 to 48 hours and 58 per cent within 49 to 72 hours.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/japans-first-abortion-pill-mifepristone-allows-abortion-up-to-9-weeks-world-news-wion-587417"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Japan's first abortion pill 'Mifepristone' allows abortion up to 9 weeks | World News | WION</strong></a></p>

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<p>Before the abortion pill was made legal, a surgical procedure was the only option for a woman to undergo an abortion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, the government, in 2017, had mulled a similar proposition of approving the sale of emergency contraceptive pills without a prescription. However, it stopped short of giving the green light with the critics arguing that it will incentivise irresponsible use of the drug.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Japan takes decisive calls&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Over the last few months, the Japanese government has been clocking in radical changes to protect women's sexual and reproductive rights.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier this month, the Japanese parliament passed laws that redefine rape and raise the age of consent. The new definition of rape includes "non-consensual sexual intercourse" which is a stark contrast to the archaic definition of "forcible sexual intercourse".&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-alters-its-definition-of-rape-after-passing-landmark-bill-in-parliament-605128" target="_blank"><strong>Also read | Japan alters definition of rape after passing landmark bill in parliament</strong></a></p>

<p>Additionally, the legal window for reporting rape has been raised to 15 years from 10 years, to give survivors more time to come forward. The age of consent has been raised from 13, among the world's lowest, to 16 years old.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Nearly two months after approving abortion pill use in the country, Japan is set to permit the sale of emergency contraceptives without prescription on a trial basis.

Nearly two months after approving abortion pill use in the country, Japan is set to permit the sale of emergency contraceptives without prescription on a trial basis. The move means Japan will likely join dozens of other countries where the morning-after pill is conveniently available over-the-counter. A ministry panel on Monday approved the sale of the pill through March at pharmacies that have trained pharmacists, private rooms and can be available on weekends, nights and holidays, according to Japanese media. The trial sale idea of abortion pills had received strong public support. After the health ministry panel invited the public to submit comments on the issue, more than 90 per cent of the 46,312 respondents, replied in favour of the move. The current rules dictated that women, including victims of sexual assault, had to go to a hospital or clinic to obtain a prescription for the emergency contraceptive. However, since the pill is best effective within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, the bureaucratic hassle proved to be an impediment. According to the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the morning-after-pills are considered 95 per cent effective if taken within 24 hours, but that figure plummets to 85 per cent within 25 to 48 hours and 58 per cent within 49 to 72 hours. WATCH | Japan's first abortion pill 'Mifepristone' allows abortion up to 9 weeks | World News | WION × Before the abortion pill was made legal, a surgical procedure was the only option for a woman to undergo an abortion. Notably, the government, in 2017, had mulled a similar proposition of approving the sale of emergency contraceptive pills without a prescription. However, it stopped short of giving the green light with the critics arguing that it will incentivise irresponsible use of the drug. Japan takes decisive calls Over the last few months, the Japanese government has been clocking in radical changes to protect women's sexual and reproductive rights. Earlier this month, the Japanese parliament passed laws that redefine rape and raise the age of consent. The new definition of rape includes "non-consensual sexual intercourse" which is a stark contrast to the archaic definition of "forcible sexual intercourse". Also read | Japan alters definition of rape after passing landmark bill in parliament Additionally, the legal window for reporting rape has been raised to 15 years from 10 years, to give survivors more time to come forward. The age of consent has been raised from 13, among the world's lowest, to 16 years old. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Japan: Trial sales of over-the-counter emergency contraceptives approved

<p>Iowa's Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird has stopped state coverage for emergency contraception and, in some instances, abortions to sexual assault victims. The move has received criticism from certain victim advocates.&nbsp;Abortion rights in the United States have been a highly contentious and divisive issue for decades.&nbsp;</p>

<p>State law is currently obligated to cover expenditures for sexual assault victims who seek medical attention. This includes expenses such as the cost of forensic examinations and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Iowa, reports AP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uae-envoy-abdulnasser-alshaali-praises-indias-g20-leadership-says-honored-by-new-delhis-invitation-580566">UAE envoy Abdulnasser Alshaali praises India's G20 leadership, says honoured by New Delhi's invitation</a></p>

<p>The so-called morning-after pill, Plan B, and other contraceptive methods were covered by Iowa's victim compensation fund when Tom Miller, a Democrat, served as attorney general.</p>

<p>According to a spokesperson for Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird, who won the election in November by defeating Miller's quest for an additional term, those payments have been put on hold while a review of victim services is being conducted.</p>

<p>“As a part of her top-down, bottom-up audit of victim assistance, Attorney General Bird is carefully evaluating whether this is an appropriate use of public funds,” Bird Press Secretary Alyssa Brouillet said in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Until that review is complete, payment of these pending claims will be delayed.”</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/3-injured-in-shooting-at-christiana-mall-in-us-state-of-delaware-police-580564">Three injured in shooting at Christiana Mall in US state of Delaware: Police</a></p>

<p>Ruth Richardson, CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, condemned the move and termed it “deplorable and reprehensible.”</p>

<p>Bird's decision comes after a Texas judge on Friday halted the approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. As per court documents, the 67-page ruling by US District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas allows the Joe Biden administration one week to appeal the decision.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The judgement was made almost simultaneously with an opposite order by US District Judge Thomas O. Rice in Washington, D.C.</p>

<p><strong>World at War | Russia welcomes Finland's NATO membership with nuclear Iskander missiles</strong></p>

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<p>This comes about a year after the US Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade and restricted access to abortion nationwide.</p>

<p>There have been numerous legal challenges to abortion rights, and the issue continues to be a hotly debated topic in American politics.&nbsp;According to President Joseph Biden, his government will challenge the Texas verdict.</p>

<p>Sandi Tibbetts Murphy, who served as director of the victim assistance division under Miller, said, “My concern is for the victims of sexual assault, who, with no real notice, are now finding themselves either unable to access needed treatment and services, or are now being forced to pay out of their own pocket for those services, when this was done at no fault of their own,” she said.</p>

<p>Currently, the legal status of abortion varies from state to state. Individual US states have the power to regulate and restrict access to abortion services. Some states have passed laws that require restrictions on the use of public funds for abortion, while others have passed laws that effectively ban abortion altogether.<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


Iowa's Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird has stopped state coverage for emergency contraception and, in some instances, abortions to sexual assault victims.

Iowa's Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird has stopped state coverage for emergency contraception and, in some instances, abortions to sexual assault victims. The move has received criticism from certain victim advocates. Abortion rights in the United States have been a highly contentious and divisive issue for decades. State law is currently obligated to cover expenditures for sexual assault victims who seek medical attention. This includes expenses such as the cost of forensic examinations and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Iowa, reports AP. Also Read | UAE envoy Abdulnasser Alshaali praises India's G20 leadership, says honoured by New Delhi's invitation The so-called morning-after pill, Plan B, and other contraceptive methods were covered by Iowa's victim compensation fund when Tom Miller, a Democrat, served as attorney general. According to a spokesperson for Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird, who won the election in November by defeating Miller's quest for an additional term, those payments have been put on hold while a review of victim services is being conducted. “As a part of her top-down, bottom-up audit of victim assistance, Attorney General Bird is carefully evaluating whether this is an appropriate use of public funds,” Bird Press Secretary Alyssa Brouillet said in a statement. “Until that review is complete, payment of these pending claims will be delayed.” Also Read | Three injured in shooting at Christiana Mall in US state of Delaware: Police Ruth Richardson, CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, condemned the move and termed it “deplorable and reprehensible.” Bird's decision comes after a Texas judge on Friday halted the approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. As per court documents, the 67-page ruling by US District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas allows the Joe Biden administration one week to appeal the decision. The judgement was made almost simultaneously with an opposite order by US District Judge Thomas O. Rice in Washington, D.C. World at War | Russia welcomes Finland's NATO membership with nuclear Iskander missiles × This comes about a year after the US Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade and restricted access to abortion nationwide. There have been numerous legal challenges to abortion rights, and the issue continues to be a hotly debated topic in American politics. According to President Joseph Biden, his government will challenge the Texas verdict. Sandi Tibbetts Murphy, who served as director of the victim assistance division under Miller, said, “My concern is for the victims of sexual assault, who, with no real notice, are now finding themselves either unable to access needed treatment and services, or are now being forced to pay out of their own pocket for those services, when this was done at no fault of their own,” she said. Currently, the legal status of abortion varies from state to state. Individual US states have the power to regulate and restrict access to abortion services. Some states have passed laws that require restrictions on the use of public funds for abortion, while others have passed laws that effectively ban abortion altogether. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: Iowa won’t pay for rape victims’ abortions, emergency contraceptives

<p>After the US Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade verdict and banned abortion in the country, Republican leaders have justified that exceptions for rape or incest victims aren’t needed because emergency contraceptives can be used instead.</p>

<p>Advocates for rape survivors have pointed out that getting access to these emergency measures in the short time frame in which they would be effective may not be realistic for someone who has just been assaulted and medical professionals have confirmed that they are not always foolproof.</p>

<p>Following the failure of birth control, emergency contraceptives are used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex.</p>

<p>The two most commonly used contraceptives used in the United States, including levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate, prevent ovulation.</p>

<p>This is different from an abortion pill which ends a pregnancy after a fertilised egg has been implanted in the lining of a woman’s uterus.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>According to medical experts, the effectiveness of “morning after pills” depends on how soon they are taken after unprotected sex.</p>

<p>It is noteworthy that the pills are unlikely to help if a woman has ovulated prior to intercourse and sperms can live inside a woman’s body for up to five days.</p>

<p>A copper intrauterine device, which is the most effective method of emergency contraception, needs to be inserted into a woman’s uterus within five days of unprotected sex.</p>

<p>According to Jude Foster, advocacy medical forensic and prevention programs director for the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault, most rape victims don’t report the crime to law enforcement.</p>

<p>Highlighting the faults in the ''one size fits all'' approach, she says women face financial as well as transportation problems.</p>

<p>Making no exceptions for cases of rape or incest, Arkansas, Kentucky and Oklahoma all have laws that ban abortion at all stages of pregnancy.</p>

<p>If they are used before a pregnancy can be determined, in that case, Arkansas’ and Kentucky’s laws explicitly say they don’t prohibit contraceptive measures.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>Watch WION's live TV here:</strong></p>

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After the US Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade verdict and banned abortion in the country, Republican leaders have justified that exceptions for rape or incest victims aren’t needed because emergency contraceptives can be used instead.

After the US Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade verdict and banned abortion in the country, Republican leaders have justified that exceptions for rape or incest victims aren’t needed because emergency contraceptives can be used instead. Advocates for rape survivors have pointed out that getting access to these emergency measures in the short time frame in which they would be effective may not be realistic for someone who has just been assaulted and medical professionals have confirmed that they are not always foolproof. Following the failure of birth control, emergency contraceptives are used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. The two most commonly used contraceptives used in the United States, including levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate, prevent ovulation. This is different from an abortion pill which ends a pregnancy after a fertilised egg has been implanted in the lining of a woman’s uterus. × According to medical experts, the effectiveness of “morning after pills” depends on how soon they are taken after unprotected sex. It is noteworthy that the pills are unlikely to help if a woman has ovulated prior to intercourse and sperms can live inside a woman’s body for up to five days. A copper intrauterine device, which is the most effective method of emergency contraception, needs to be inserted into a woman’s uterus within five days of unprotected sex. According to Jude Foster, advocacy medical forensic and prevention programs director for the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault, most rape victims don’t report the crime to law enforcement. Highlighting the faults in the ''one size fits all'' approach, she says women face financial as well as transportation problems. Making no exceptions for cases of rape or incest, Arkansas, Kentucky and Oklahoma all have laws that ban abortion at all stages of pregnancy. If they are used before a pregnancy can be determined, in that case, Arkansas’ and Kentucky’s laws explicitly say they don’t prohibit contraceptive measures. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

What are emergency contraceptives and why are they not always option after rape?

emergency-contraceptives

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