5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

In order to better comprehend the evolution of abortion rights, it is crucial to examine the intersection of human rights discourse and abortion access, particularly in nations with inadequate healthcare systems. The Indian courts have established comprehensive definition in a number of notable rulings over the past 10 years as a part of the "Inalienable Survival Rights" protected under the fundamental Right to Life. The courts even acknowledged for the first time in a number of landmark rulings that reproductive rights are integral for women's equality and emphasizing autonomy and reproductive choice. In cases concerning maternal health, contraception, abortion, and child marriage, Indian courts adhere to human rights standards and have developed extensive definitions of "Reproductive rights." Although court rulings differ, multiple trailblazing cases—including the first case to do so globally—have firmly affirmed women's rights to remedies for violations of their reproductive rights and helped create the foundation for Indian law.

Modern understanding prioritizes bodily sovereignty upheld by international human rights agreements. Thus, it's crucial to uphold a woman's right to choose whether to continue or terminate a pregnancy. Legal frameworks on reproductive rights at global level must adapt to current realities, avoiding outdated cultural constraints, and ensuring autonomy and reproductive freedom.

Key words : Reproductive rights, Abortion, Right to Life ,Legal framework, cultural constraints Top of Form

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