The dispute over abortion as a woman’s right against a child’s right to life is complicated and contentious, including ethical, moral, and legal factors. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) does not expressly address the topic of abortion, and diverse interpretations of the UDHR’s articles contribute to the debate.

The following UDHR clauses are pertinent to this discussion:

Article 3: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security.” Because it emphasizes the right to life, this article can be read as supporting the argument for the unborn child’s rights.

Article 12: “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home, or correspondence.” This clause is frequently invoked in favor of women’s reproductive rights, especially the freedom to make decisions regarding their own bodies and reproductive health.

The abortion debate stems from conflicting viewpoints on when personhood begins, the rights of the pregnant mother vs. the rights of the fetus, and the societal, religious, and cultural attitudes around abortion.

Women’s Rights: Proponents of abortion as a women’s right say that women should have sovereignty over their bodies and the ability to choose their reproductive health. They campaign for safe and legal abortion services, noting that restrictive abortion regulations can lead to dangerous operations, jeopardizing women’s lives and health. They argue that limiting women’s access to abortion hinders their reproductive options, economic prospects, and total autonomy.

Children’s Rights: Opponents of abortion say that the unborn child has a right to life and protection from harm. Because they believe that life begins at conception, they consider abortion to be the termination of human life. They argue that the rights of the unborn child, especially the right to life, should take precedence over the mother’s choice to terminate the pregnancy.