Nisa – Hotline counsellor
I started working with Tamtang as a hotline counsellor back in 2017. Before that I was a volunteer providing support over email and phone when needed.
Before I worked here, I was an intern at an LGBT rights organisation and I met Chompoo, Coordinator of Tamtang, at an event.
I had an abortion before but had never told anyone.
At this event I heard Chompoo talking about her abortion like it was normal and it made me feel OK about mine too. I never knew people could talk about their abortion experience out loud before I met Chompoo. I told her I wanted to work with Tamtang on this issue, and she welcomed me with open arms. And now I’m still here!
When I had my abortion, I didn’t talk to my partner at the time, I knew he couldn’t help me. But I was lucky as I had a friend at university who had had an abortion and told me about it. So, I went to the same place as her as I trusted it would be OK. But they didn’t explain what was happening, just told me to lie down and don’t scream or cry as you might scare other people.
Now on the hotline I make sure I tell people what to expect, what happens during the procedure, as that’s what I didn’t get.
I started talking about my abortion experience in public.
Telling people that I had an abortion, and my life is ok. I showed my face and got attacked, with maybe 20,000 comments on the post, people talking about me like they know me. It was really upsetting, and I had an emotional breakdown.
My mum was always silent when I talked about working in abortion, I don’t think she really approved. But I showed her the post when I was upset and asked her, “do you think they’re right when they say you should have aborted me?” and she hugged me. I deleted the post, but I at least saw that my mum loved me and was trying her best to understand.
This experience made me angry. I didn’t want to be silenced.
Before the legal change, Tamtang was invited to present the proposed amendments on TV. I was able to share my experience as part of this awareness raising.
It’s very important to let people know that people who have abortions are real – it’s me, I’m here. It was important that we were at the centre of this campaign to change the law, as people who’ve actually had abortions. They always invite politicians and doctors, but where are the women and people who have and need abortions and their voices? The media need to see us more. Abortion is our issue.
It’s been hard but the outcome is incredible. I still get negative comments, but they are outweighed by positive comments. I remember how I felt when I heard Chompoo’s story – like I wasn’t the only one, and I wanted to provide that for others. To know they are not the only one.
I was happy when the law changed, but it wasn’t enough.
The law could be better, in fact I wish we didn’t have a law at all and could just let the patient decide what they need. Abortion should be a simple treatment – we don’t have a ‘cancer law’, why do we need an ‘abortion law’. It should be normal like other healthcare issues.
I think my work in Tamtang has not only helped society to understand the issue of abortion but has also helped me. Counselling fulfils my inner soul – in my daily life I work in a business that’s very masculine and exhausting. In Tamtang I get to be myself.
Tamtang changed me a lot, it has made me a better person.
I’m still angry but I use my anger in a good way, to make a difference. I am proud to be here, and now I talk to everyone about the need for safe abortion access. I talked to my mother and after some time she’s now on my side and even happy to share information about abortion herself.