Abortion, otherwise known as the termination of pregnancy, is a common procedure throughout the world. Research on the occurrence of abortion [Page 3]indicates that the rates of abortion do not differ significantly between countries with liberal abortion legislation and those with restrictive abortion legislation. Women have always found, and continue to find, ways to terminate an unwanted and unsupportable pregnancy. In contexts of restrictive laws, however, women often resort to unsafe abortion, which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Unsafe abortion is defined by the World Health Organization as a termination of pregnancy performed in unsafe medical conditions or by an unregistered practitioner or both.

Pregnant teenagers who wish to terminate a pregnancy face challenges similar to those faced by women in general, as well ...