The Indian Medical Termination Of Pregnancy Act Came Into Force In1972, In Response To The Highmortality And Morbidity Associated With Illegal Abortion. However, 25 Years On, Both Restrictions In The Law And The Way It Is Implemnted Through Service Delivery Have Failed To Meet The Abortion Needs Of Large Number Of Women. Using Data From A Larger Qualitative Study In Rural Maharashtra, This Paper Explores Women's Perceptions Of Their Rights And Needs In Relation To Abortion. The Women Were Ambivalent About Abortion, Based On Their Roles And Identity As Mothers, But They Saw The Necessity For Barotion Andsupported Each Otherto Have Abortions. They Had Conflicting Feelings With Regards To Abortion On Grounds Of Fetal Sex, And Problematic Issues Of Sexuality, Especially For Single Women In Relation To Abortion, Also Arose. Provided With The Details Ofindia's Abortion Legislation, Which They Knew Little About, The Women Had Suggestions For Making The Law More Women-sensitive. Their Experiences Make It Clear That Vast Improvements In Abortion Policy And Service Delivery Are Needed In India.

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