“On November 18, 1920, Soviet Russia became the first country to legalise abortion,” said Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, Ph.D., founder and president of The Ruth Institute.

“It’s not surprising that a totalitarian state pioneered legalised abortion. Just as communism violates human rights on a massive scale, abortion denies the most fundamental of rights — the right to life — to the unborn child. That’s why it’s ironic that so many international organisations try to portray abortion as a fundamental human right, comparable to free speech or the right to a fair trial.”

Until the end of World War II, legalised abortion was limited to Russia and countries controlled by the U.S.S.R. Then Sweden and Japan followed suit. In the 1960s and 70s, many European democracies passed similar laws. In 1973, the Supreme Court imposed abortion on the United States.

Today, the World Health Organization estimates there are 50 million abortions a year worldwide. “The number of abortions performed in the past 100 years could be in the billions,’’ Morse said.

She also warned:

“Now some prominent NGOs and government aid-givers are trying to force abortion on African countries like Kenya, despite overwhelming local opposition.

“It’s important for us all to understand the origins of legalised abortion. It started with a regime dedicated to the abolition of human rights and the family, and the massive expansion of state power.”

In Kenya, the fight against abortion is being led by groups like the Kenya Christian Professionals Forum.

Human Life International Poland has also been working to raise awareness of this tragic anniversary.

[Photo by Steve Harvey on Unsplash]