“Tales of Psychosocial Horror and Hate”: Implications for Unmarried Pregnant Indian Women’s Safety, Health and Choice of Safe Abortion

Taboos around female sexuality have dominated the psychosocial space and narrowed the understanding of health and hazards for women. Accidental pregnancy, especially in a hostile environment poses various threats for unmarried women's overall health and well-being. The associated psychosocial obstacles turn this life event into crises that have long term mental health consequences. Scared of social judgement and shame, most pregnant unmarried Indian women resort to induced abortions which are highly correlated to maternal mortality, infertility and hospitalizations. Unsafe abortions are dangerous for one's physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, occupational and relational health. This paper attempted to highlight the traumatic psychosocial implications of pregnancy and abortion for unmarried Indian women, utilizing the multiple case study method and illustrating insights from 3 relevant cases. The narrative analysis, indicated potential psychosocial trauma associated with unintended pregnancy and factors that mediated the decision-making process while contemplating the available options for abortion. These findings have important psychosocial implications for women's health, rights, sex education and social reform