Hidden Choices: Women's Secret Journeys in Rural Pakistan

Women in rural Pakistan face a tough reality when it comes to abortion. It's a subject that's kept hushed, even when the law says it's okay. Society places a big emphasis on having kids and being a mother, but women still find ways to make their own choices. They often turn to induced abortions. They have to be clever about it. They present their abortions as miscarriages, which are more acceptable in their communities. This isn't just a physical journey, but a mental one too. Women must navigate carefully between different aspects of their lives - the public face they show to the world, and the private, hidden parts of their life. In a study, they found out that women depend on their family and friends for support through this journey. The study used 38 personal interviews and six group chats to understand what they were going through. This approach, known as a grounded theory, shows the women's stories in their own words. The findings reveal that women have to be very careful about how they act, especially in public. If they are careless, they could be exposed. To keep their social status, they must manage the two faces of their lives. But even when they make this choice, the experience stays with them forever, creating a psychological burden. Society makes it tough for women to talk about abortion, but women find ways to cope. They know what to do and say when they are in front of family and friends, and what to do and say when they are alone. The study shows that women are strong and they adapt, creating a way to live with their decisions. This journey of abortion can be lonely. Women in Pakistan have to keep it a secret. They have to find ways to keep their social status, as well as a way to deal with the psychological burden of abortion. They must be careful of what they say and to whom. It is a tough road, but they walk it with the help of their support system.