QUEEN SIMIN TO TRY AND CHANGE ABORTION LAWToday during a speech at the University of Zefyri's Midwifery graduation Queen Simin made an announcement that she is actively seeking to change the nations laws surrounding abortion. Currently a woman may have an abortion at anytime during her pregnancy so long as two qualified doctors agree that the pregnancy presents "a probability of damaging the mothers life or future reproductive health." This see's relatively few abortions carried out each year despite some critics of the law saying that there are a significant number of practiners willing to agree to this existing criteria without assessing sufficiently. Despite the total number of requests for abortions being relatively low, and the majority of those requests finding approval, Queen Simin has highlighted a few cases where the present law has, in her words, "Let women down.". She declined to name the women involved but pointed to a case in which a 17 year old girl had been raped and subsequently become pregnant. Another example she cited was one of a family where there child had a significant medical condition meaning the family had to find hundreds of thousands of dollars in order to care for their newborn, plunging the family into debt and negatively impacting their existing children. According to Queen Simin had the condition been known to the parents and the option of abortion permitted the family would have opted to terminate the pregnancy. Finally Queen Simin pointed to the death of a 22 year old woman last year who had opted for an illegal "backstreet" abortion and as a result of the unsterile conditions had died of blood poisoning.
The Queen went on to outline the initial ideas she has for the change in the law. "It is my aim to somehow, the actual mechanism I'm still consulting experts on, is to make access to abortion safer and easier. For me the current wording is to vague and narrow. The future of the unborn child should also feature, if the child is to live a short life full of pain and constant medical intervention then perhaps abortion is an option for that family. Likewise we should consider not just the physical health of the mother but also the mental health. I though oppose just a blank cheque approach to abortion where there are no limits or controls but our current system is killing people." It is however unlikely that Queen Simin will find changing the law a simple process. The Queen of the Naukles became a Tetrarch in 2017 and in 2021 election for First Daughter received just 1.8% of the national vote. She is seen as very liberal compared to the other three Tetrarchs and was not a direct descendant of the previous Queen of the Naukles and inherited the throne as a result of the Naukles ruling family being heavily male dominated and one of the few female cousins. This has lead to her popularity being low compared to the other three monarchs.
The announcement already drew criticism from some religious figures. Gianni Kopresia, a leading preacher in the faith known as the Balance, was one of the first to comment saying "It is very clear that The Arbiters consider the ending of a souls life to be an act worthy of our own souls destruction. Our faith teaches us that the soul is placed within a person when the two elements of life, what we understand to be the sperm and the egg, are joined. Now our faith also teaches us saving a soul is worthy of reward in the after-life. I believe our current abortion laws balance these two concepts fairly. What Queen Simin is proposing will swing the balance and sadly it is likely to be the younger citizens of our nation, corrupted by some new liberal mindset being imported and championed by Queen Simin, that pay the spiritual price for her guidance."
For the law to be changed Queen Simin must first present a draft legislation before the other three Tetrarchs and convince at least two of them to support her proposal. This is likely to fail initially however should Queen Simin then open a petition regarding the proposal and sees it gain significant support then traditionally the Tetrarchs who do not hold the role of First Daughter will support it. Many experts however believe that should Queen Simin present a petition on the matter a counter-petition is likely to be presented meaning that effectively a referendum will take place. Currently none of the other three Tetrarchs are on record as having made public statements about the abortion law however with Queen Lucille of the Corythia being considered very traditional in her outlook and having gained 56.3% of the national vote in the last election for First Daughter it is unlikely Queen Simin will see widespread support in fact already voices on social media are leaning towards her action failing. One Twitter user stated "This shows how out of touch with her people she is" while another user stated, "She is no Queen, she is a traitor to the Balance and should abdicate."
The Tetrarchs Council meets on Thursday and this is likely to be discussed.
RUGBY SUCCESS CELEBRATED
There were celebrations in Tetradamos today as the Charterlands celebrated their first ever sporting success. The Charterlands defeated Lodja, a nation whose Queen is currently visiting Themyscira, in the final. The victory was even sweeter as it was hosted in the Charterlands with Themyscira hosting some of the teams who competed. Several Themyscirans were part of the Charterlands squad and are to be introduced to the Four Queens on Thursday.
Queen Avgusta of the Gygaea was in attendance at the final and spoke after the trophy was lifted. "I'm proud of our countryman who have helped contribute to this. The Charterlands are a unique collection of peoples and cultures and sport is a fantastic way of us having a common heritage. While of course we long for a day when Themyscira competes under own flag we are delighted to uphold our oaths and contracts and support the Charterlands. I'd like to congratulate our team and Lady Charlotte who organised a fantastic occasion."
