Recent news about progressive law reforms on abortions in various parts of the world in the past year has once again put the spotlight on the raging debate on whether or not safe abortions should be legal.
In Kenya, there is no shortage of documentaries, news pieces and hushed conversations on cases of backstreet abortions performed each day.
Reporting is often laced with stigma directed at the women and girls that seek these services and not nearly enough on the quack and opportunistic individuals performing these procedures.
The number of unsafe abortions has particularly risen since the Covid-19 pandemic struck last year.
This has been driven by tough economic situations, lack of access to reproductive health services, an increase in cases of sexual and gender-based violence, fear, stigma and inadequate information on safe service providers.
For those of us who advocate for access to sexual reproductive health and rights for all, these numbers and reports are evidence that our stand on safe abortion does not stop them from happening but rather disproportionately affect the most marginalised women and girls.
Article 26 (4) permits abortion in instances where trained health professionals determine a need for emergency treatment and in cases where the life and health of the mother are in danger.
It is important to note that health is holistic as is defined in the Health Act.
It goes beyond the physical to look at a patient’s mental, emotional and psycho-social well-being and not merely the absence of disease.
As such, a woman or girl whose physical, mental or psychosocial health is in danger as a result of an unwanted pregnancy is within their rights to seek medical treatment.
We must recognise and support the right of women and girls to make their own informed choices regarding their bodies.
As the world marks International Safe Abortion Day today, we must make sure that every Kenyan is aware of their rights to health as stipulated in the law and that they can easily access safe abortion services irrespective of their class and economic situation.
Survivors of rape should be able to access emergency medical treatment.
Service providers and healthcare workers must not be subjected to regular arrests and extortions by law enforcement.
No matter which side of the debate you fall on, we all can agree that we are losing so many women and girls to clandestine abortions.
Burying our heads in the sand and hoping the problem will just go away has not worked and will not work going forward.
To save thousands of lives, the country must deliberately work to ensure access to safe abortion for all women and girls.
We must actively implement the law to relegate unsafe abortions to the history dustbin.
Gender Equity and Youth Participation Advocate
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
