To help reduce abortions, IDF to offer 'day-after pills' to soldiers
The abortion process is costly for the IDF, which spent NIS 4 million on the abortions of last year.
By TAMAR URIEL-BEERIUpdated: OCTOBER 24, 2018 16:44Women in the IDF(photo credit: REUTERS)
The IDF will provide emergency contraceptive pills, also known as “morning-after pills,” to female soldiers in need of them, according to Army Radio.The move to help female soldiers is in an effort to decrease the number of abortions in the army's ranks. Statistics published by Army Radio showed that 839 soldiers underwent abortions last year alone.The abortion process is costly for the IDF, which spent NIS 4 million on abortions last year.The army has made significant steps in decreasing the abortion rate in the past, instructing each unit on contraceptive methods and providing female soldiers with contraceptives.Soldiers can receive contraceptive pills and Intrauterine Devices (IUD), which are both paid for by the IDF, and can purchase condoms at the Shekem stores on army bases. Soldiers can request abortions from the army for reasons ranging from mental health issues to being unmarried.