Kenya – Shield women from avoidable deaths

Shield women from avoidable deaths

Evelyne Opondo
24th Sep 2019

Nine years ago, the country was embroiled in an intense debate over whether to ratify the then draft constitution or not. The opposition to its passage was led by religious groups against the provision that would allow pregnant women to access abortion when a trained health professional deemed their life or health to be in danger.

The groups argued that Kenyan women would now access abortion anytime, anywhere and the procedure could be performed by any hospital worker. The Kenyan people, however, on August 4, 2010, passed the Constitution with a resounding 67 per cent in favour of the ratification.

Continued: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001343057/shield-women-from-avoidable-deaths

24.09.2019

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Africa Centre for Reproductive Rights

African Population and Health Research Centre

APHRC

Center for Reproductive Rights Kenya

Evelyne Opondo

JMM

Standards and Guidelines for Reducing Morbidity and Mortality from Unsafe Abortion

465,000 illegal abortions performed annually in Kenya

465,000 illegal abortions performed annually in Kenya
Written By: Hallyghan Agade
July 9, 2018

It is estimated that approximately 465,000 illegal abortions are performed in Kenya each year by untrained people.

Center for Reproductive Rights-CRC further says that one out of three girls under the age of 18 experience sexual violence and over 40 percent of pregnancies are unintentional.

However, health practitioners and health rights advocates are blaming Government and religious organizations saying that they are the greatest impediment to advocacy and information regarding Reproductive Health Rights in the country.

Continued: http://www.kbc.co.ke/465000-illegal-abortions-are-carried-out-annually-in-kenya/

Kenya:: Bring back ‘safe’ abortion guidelines, say petitioners

Bring back 'safe' abortion guidelines, say petitioners

by Paul Ogemba
Published Sat, February 3rd 2018

Two civil society organisations championing women rights put up a brave fight to compel the government to put in place guidelines for safe abortions.

Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Kenya) and the Centre for Reproductive Rights (CRR) argued that their petition was not about legalising abortion but fighting for the right of women with unwanted pregnancies and who have a right to life and to procure safe, legal abortion services.

Continued: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/article/2001268307/ngos-push-for-reintroduction-of-safe-abortion-guidelines

Kenya: Nurse Acquitted in a Pregnancy Complications Case

Nurse Acquitted in a Pregnancy Complications Case

10.19.17 - (PRESS RELEASE) Today the Court of Appeal of Kenya acquitted Jackson Tali, a registered nurse who was arrested and sentenced to death on murder charges.

Mr. Tali, who has been in custody at the G.K Kamiti Maximum Prison since July 2009 was convicted and sentenced to death in September 2014 after a young woman presenting with pregnancy complications at his clinic died in his care. Mr. Tali was represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Continued at source: https://www.reproductiverights.org/press-room/nurse-acquitted-in-a-pregnancy-complications-case

The Law, Trials and Imprisonment for Abortion in Kenya

The Law, Trials and Imprisonment for Abortion in Kenya
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28 April 2017
International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion

Photo credit: KELIN A photo taken from the 2016 #Justice2Health forum

by Alice E Finden

This report summarises the law and policy on abortion in Kenya and cases of trials and imprisonment for abortion between 2004 and 2017.

“Laws that criminalise abortion but without concomitantly articulating clearly the grounds for lawful abortion… unduly deter healthcare providers from providing health services to women even where abortion is lawful. Equally, such laws create misperceptions about abortion as conduct that is criminal at all times.” (Charles Ngwena) [1]

The above quote sums up perfectly the unresolved state of abortion law in Kenya, and the resulting limited access to safe abortion in the country. Abortion is spoken to by the 1970 Penal Code which criminalises it, and the 2010 Constitution which makes exceptions to this criminalisation. The lack of clarity and transparency with regard to the circumstances in which abortion is legal greatly contributes to Kenya’s high maternal mortality ratio from complications of unsafe abortion.

Source: International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion: http://mailchi.mp/safeabortionwomensright/feature-the-law-trials-and-imprisonment-for-abortion-in-kenya-28-april-2017?e=3fa4c971b0