Denying abortion akin to violence, Monsef says of Planned Parenthood funding
OTTAWA — Status of Women Minister Maryam Monsef says denying access to the full range of reproductive services — including abortion — is a form of violence against women.
“Reproductive health rights in Canada and around the world are critical to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls,” Monsef said Thursday in an interview with The Canadian Press.
“We’re committed to making sure that women and girls have that choice, because otherwise, this is a form of gender-based violence.”
That is why Status of Women Canada, the agency she leads, is giving Planned Parenthood Ottawa $285,000 for a three-year project aimed at improving local services for women and girls who face barriers to their reproductive rights, such as being coerced into either pregnancy or abortion, or having trouble getting contraceptives.