Silent and sad

While I admire the courage of the women who have acknowledged publicly that they have had an abortion (open letter to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Nov 5), spare a thought for the women who were refused an abortion, but have had to be silent ever since (in order to protect their children) but who will also ‘‘live with regret and sadness’’.

Thank you, Abortion Rights Aotearoa, for highlighting the anguish of the woman who is already overwhelmed with the responsibility of caring for her existing family, or has a special needs child who requires an inordinate amount of her time and energy, and will live with regret and sadness.

What about women who have experienced mental health problems because they were refused abortions? I wonder if all those who do not want the abortion law changed (because they believe the act would take a life) would be consistent and stand up as pacifists? Patricia Booth, Brooklyn