FJA 2019 / Shortlist 

Category: Contribution to Civil Rights

Natashya Gutierrez (Philippines)

“Abortion Story” 

A series of reports

The Rappler

Part 1

August 13, 2018

Filipinas buy, sell, rate abortions in online forum

MANILA, Philippines – It was a desperate cry for help.
On the evening of August 2, 2015, a woman with username "aifa2500" posted on an online forum in the Philippines. She had gotten an abortion a day prior, from a backstreet abortionist she referred to as "Miss Shine."
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Part 2

August 15, 2018

How backstreet abortionists terminate 7-month pregnancies

MANILA, Philippines – The advertisements on the online forum are clear and compelling, vowing painless abortions for pregnant women. They assure Filipinas they can terminate pregnancies at any stage, even up until 7 months, without much pain.
The women believe them.
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Part 3

August 20, 2018

Secret service: Underground doctors induce safe abortions

MANILA, Philippines – Amanda had gotten pregnant twice.
The first time she got pregnant, her then-boyfriend left her after finding out she was expecting.
“I decided to keep the child and now have a very close relationship with my son,” she wrote in an online forum for Filipina women.
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