28 September - Mission: Abortion

For International Safe Abortion Day on 28th September 2019, Cempaka Collective organised “Mission: Abortion” at Rumah Cempaka, Kuala Lumpur. From 11 AM until 11 PM, the exhibition was set to bring up conversation about current state of safe abortion in Malaysia and also addressing the gender-neural approach to tackle the intersectionality within the sexual health and reproductive rights (SRHR). Each audience were given pamphlets, a zine, stickers and a pin-back button on safe abortion.

The exhibition brought the audiences to the facts and the experience of the person that looking for or going through abortion. First, the black market of abortion pills nearby the venue. Second, the narratives about abortion on both offline and online media. Third, the space of a person that looking for abortion. Fourth, the myth and the dangerous methods of abortion. Finally, an alarm about the death of a person caused by unsafe abortion method.

The crowds were also participated in experiential games and film screenings that were part of the exhibition as well. The film screenings touched on the history of abortion pills and also the political and accessibility issues to safe abortion outside Malaysia. The screening of Vessel (2014) concluded the exhibition where discussion and reflection about access to safe abortion is an issue that worth to be fight for.