Rev. Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth Fights for Women's Right to Safe Abortion in the Caribbean

The tragic death of a mother-of-six from a botched abortion at an unlicensed clinic a decade ago remains etched in the memory of Reverend Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth. It was a poignant reminder of the dangers women face in Guyana, even after the country had passed progressive abortion reform legislation nearly 20 years prior. Despite the legal framework allowing for terminations, the absence of public hospital services and unlicensed practitioners meant that many women resorted to dangerous methods to terminate unwanted pregnancies. Patricia recalls a sobering reality: "Women were still dying of abortions gone wrong. They were using home remedies, bush medicine, unlicensed doctors. The law may have been passed but it took many years for it to be implemented. For me, it was an urgent cause." Her commitment to this cause stems from not only personal conviction but also an understanding that legality alone does not equate to safety or accessibility. Today, Guyana stands as one of the few Caribbean nations offering terminations upon request, yet the region remains shackled by colonial-era laws that restrict access to safe abortions. Most Caribbean countries are still bound by legislation that outlaws abortions in all but the most extreme circumstances, a situation that has perpetuated a cycle of clandestine procedures fraught with risk. As a minister in the Christian Church, Patricia might seem an unexpected advocate for reform in a contentious issue like abortion. However, her stance is rooted in a belief that addressing the complexities surrounding abortion means promoting life in a more holistic sense. "We are all talking about life, and we are for life. There are too many abortions; we want to address the issues that create them. Decriminalising abortion will bring it out of the darkness and lead to a reduction because people are educated and don't have repeat ones," she explains passionately. Working in collaboration with the regional women's health charity Aspire, Patricia is at the forefront of efforts to change antiquated laws in two Caribbean nations. Aspire has initiated legal action in Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, targeting the 19th-Century Offences Against the Person Act, which imposes a harsh 10-year prison sentence for women who terminate their pregnancies, with the only exception being when their lives are endangered. The struggle for women's reproductive rights in the Caribbean is emblematic of larger societal shifts, challenging ingrained cultural attitudes and religious doctrines that have long dictated personal health decisions. Patricia's advocacy highlights an essential truth: safe, legal abortion is not merely a healthcare issue; it is a moral imperative that speaks to the dignity and rights of women throughout the region. By bringing abortion out of the shadows, Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth is not only fighting for safer options for women but is also igniting a broader conversation about women's health and autonomy in the Caribbean. The challenge remains daunting, but with passionate advocates like her leading the charge, there is hope for change in a domain where so many have struggled in silence.