The New Cold War Over Access To Safe Abortion in Kenya

A community health volunteer informs community members about various methods of family planning. Photo Credit: UNFPA KenyaBy Stephanie Musho and Ritah Anindo ObonyoNAIROBI, Sep 22 2022 (IPS) Fatuma is a 24 year old girl from Korogocho, an informal settlement in Nairobi. She died in December 2021, from complications arising from an unsafe abortion. Her friend and a few of her neighbors found her bleeding profusely and unable to move. They rushed her to the hospital. Unfortunately, she died before she could see the doctor. Unfortunately, Fatuma’s story is common for girls and women in Kenya. In fact, at least 7 of them die every day from complications arising from unsafe abortion. Worse still, is that with current trends – where 700 girls between the ages of 10 and 19 are getting pregnant daily; the harrowing statistics on abortions are likely to be worse. If Fatuma knew where she could access safe abortion services, she would not have died. The Constitution operates a robust Bill of Rights that are legally binding - and not mere suggestions. In addition to expanding the right to safe abortion in Article 26(4), it explicitly provides for the right to the highest attainable standard of reproductive health in Article 43 Despite the Constitution of Kenya providing for three instances where safe abortion is permitted, the right to choose if and when to become pregnant as well as terminate pregnancies continues to be one of the most contested debates across the world. In Ke...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Africa Gender Headlines Health Human Rights TerraViva United Nations Women's Health Source Type: news