Publications
Partners
It is estimated that at least 5.5 million unsafe abortions take place in Africa every year. Even worse? About 40% of the women die as a result of complications due to these procedures.
Abortion, unless it is done for medical purposes, remains illegal in most of the region.
Is it wrong, morally?
Before we start judging women who chose to have an abortion, it is important to look at the root cause of this public health problem – and how to fix it.
If all governments made sure women's sexual and reproductive rights were upheld, abortions could possibly be avoided.
One of the policies that is in play is the Africa Union Maputo Plan of Action of 2006 which calls for:
• the guarantee of safe motherhood,
• making family planning services more accessible,
• preventing abortion,
• managing complications resulting from unsafe abortion, and
• enhancing sexual reproductive health services for adolescents and the youth.
Regionally, 13 of the 15 SADC countries have signed up for the protocol to address women's sexual and reproductive health needs.
But despite all these commitments, women in the region continue to die as a result of unsafe abortions.
There is more to be done.
The need for family planning remains moderate to high in most regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where one in four married women aged 15 to 49 do not have access to contraceptives.
When these women fall pregnant, the only way out is abortion but what if they can't afford to do it safely?
Most of these women land up using ghastly methods to get rid of an unwanted pregnancy. These include inserting sharp objects into their vagina, swallowing toxic concoctions, overdosing on malaria medication or drinking bleach. Doesn't that sound horrific?
These are risks which no woman should be forced to take in the 21st century, especially at a time when Africa is basking in the glory of other progress and achievements.
Keeping this issue of contraceptive usage and abortion in the shadows does not help anyone.
How should we fix it?
Realistically, the most appropriate way of dealing with abortion is for governments to revise their legal stance and scale-up family planning programmes.
Unintended pregnancy and induced abortion can be prevented by expanding and improving family planning services and choices, and reaching out to communities and underserved population groups.
We all need to open our eyes and realise that unsafe abortions and the unmet need for family planning services are realities women face every day.
Lucia Makamure is the Gender Links Alliance Programme Officer. This article is part of the Gender Links Opinion and Commentary Service special series for Women’s Month.
Abortion, unless it is done for medical purposes, remains illegal in most of the region.
Is it wrong, morally?
Before we start judging women who chose to have an abortion, it is important to look at the root cause of this public health problem – and how to fix it.
If all governments made sure women's sexual and reproductive rights were upheld, abortions could possibly be avoided.
One of the policies that is in play is the Africa Union Maputo Plan of Action of 2006 which calls for:
• the guarantee of safe motherhood,
• making family planning services more accessible,
• preventing abortion,
• managing complications resulting from unsafe abortion, and
• enhancing sexual reproductive health services for adolescents and the youth.
Regionally, 13 of the 15 SADC countries have signed up for the protocol to address women's sexual and reproductive health needs.
But despite all these commitments, women in the region continue to die as a result of unsafe abortions.
There is more to be done.
The need for family planning remains moderate to high in most regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where one in four married women aged 15 to 49 do not have access to contraceptives.
When these women fall pregnant, the only way out is abortion but what if they can't afford to do it safely?
Most of these women land up using ghastly methods to get rid of an unwanted pregnancy. These include inserting sharp objects into their vagina, swallowing toxic concoctions, overdosing on malaria medication or drinking bleach. Doesn't that sound horrific?
These are risks which no woman should be forced to take in the 21st century, especially at a time when Africa is basking in the glory of other progress and achievements.
Keeping this issue of contraceptive usage and abortion in the shadows does not help anyone.
How should we fix it?
Realistically, the most appropriate way of dealing with abortion is for governments to revise their legal stance and scale-up family planning programmes.
Unintended pregnancy and induced abortion can be prevented by expanding and improving family planning services and choices, and reaching out to communities and underserved population groups.
We all need to open our eyes and realise that unsafe abortions and the unmet need for family planning services are realities women face every day.
Lucia Makamure is the Gender Links Alliance Programme Officer. This article is part of the Gender Links Opinion and Commentary Service special series for Women’s Month.
