There are some species in the natural world where individuals of either gender can reproduce. In humans however, it is women alone who are the child-bearers. This is a critically important task, requiring a great deal of resources and care. However, for as long as women have been giving birth, women have also been terminating pregnancies.
The reasons for terminating a pregnancy are multiple and varied. Many pregnancies- up to 40% according to the Guttmacher Institute- are unplanned. Too often, women and girls are raped. Sometimes the condom breaks or other birth control method fails. Often, accurate information about birth control is lacking and women/girls don’t know where to get it, or don’t have enough money