Exactly a year ago, on the first anniversary of the International Campaign For Women’s Right to Safe Abortion, ASAP showed the first cut of this animated short film to a select audience, comprising mostly of our members and partners, at Women Deliver. Now we are proud to present the film again with subtitles in 5 languages: Arabic, Hindi, Nepali, Sinhalese and Vietnamese.

From Unwanted Pregnancies to Safe Abortion is constructed from findings in sociological, ethnographic, demographic and public health research across Asia. This film introduces the character of Ms. A, an Asian woman seeking abortions. Her struggles against the social and legal barriers to safe abortion reflect those of several women in South Asia, South East Asia and the Middle East. Her victories are those of a movement for social justice that has been sweeping across the continent.

ASAP produced this film with the intent to educate and inform key stakeholders in the prochoice movement, including doctors, lawyers, policy makers, the media and youth advocates.The organization also seeks to reach out to all women across Asia, hoping to increase their participation in combating legal barriers and social stigma against abortion.

This film is the work of the entire ASAP team. US-based Indian artist, Shachi Kale worked with ASAP to produce the art. Shweta Krishnan wrote and edited the film for ASAP while working as their Communication Officer. ASAP’s Steering Committee Members and Youth Champions helped to translate the film into the local languages.

The film was featured in two panels in the 7th Asia Pacific Conference on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Manila this January. DVDs were given away at the the 7th APCRSHR and at the World Youth Conference held in Colombo earlier this month.

The film was made in English so that a global audience can comprehend this public health and human rights issue in Asia, but it is now being released with subtitles in regional languages in order to take the message to Asia’s multilingual and diverse audience. The film is now available with subtitles in Arabic, Hindi, Nepali, Sinhalese and Vietnamese, and will be shortly available in other languages as well.