Advocates Want Safe Abortion Legalized to Reduce Maternal Deaths

A group of advocates are campaigning for the legalization of safe abortion as a way of reducing the number of maternal deaths during childbirth and stigma on pregnant women.

The pro-choice advocates say that having a safe abortion is a human right and a personal decision and should not be based on moral, cultural or religious beliefs.

Among the advocacy groups that want safe abortion legalized is the International Campaign for Women Rights to Safe Abortion which argues that a proper law should be enacted to allow the act.

According to Dr. Shilpa Shroff, the director of the International Campaign for Women Rights to Safe Abortion, those people who are bound by cultural and religious norms can continue being against abortion, but having a law will also not force people to do it, but it will be a personal choice.

Some advocates also believe that cultural norms and religious beliefs are the reason as to why most girls and women undergo stigmatization when they get pregnant.

Ipas, an international organization that provides safe abortion services say that most women have the right to determine their future and if they consider that have a safe abortion is the best way for them, they should be allowed to do it.

The society has for a long time played a role in enhancing unsafe abortions due to stigmatization on pregnant girls and women.

“We are actually going to see increased cases even in places where we had low numbers due to the stigmatization,” says Dr. Ernest Nyamato of Ipas.

Kenya recently legalized safe abortion in cases where the mental health of the girl or woman is deemed unfit to carry the pregnancy.

An example of where safe abortion can be allowed is when a woman is a victim of a rape or sexual assault and she is willing to terminate her pregnancy.

It is estimated that at least 800 women die each year when pregnant or during childbirth as data from the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), summit revealed.

As one of the main themes discussed at the ICPD summit, maternal deaths could be reduced if safe abortions are legalized by world states.

Among the issues addressed at the ICPD summit held in Nairobi are;

• Universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights as a part of universal health coverage, Financing required to complete the ICPD Programme of Action and to sustain the gains made.
• Drawing on demographic diversity to drive economic growth and achieve sustainable development.
• Ending gender-based violence and harmful practices.
• Upholding the right to sexual and reproductive health care even in humanitarian and fragile contexts.

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