CÔTE D’IVOIRE – Ivoire Soir.net publishes an exclusive story: text of a draft bill on sexual and reproductive health, including abortion

CÔTE D’IVOIRE – Ivoire Soir.net publishes an exclusive story: text of a draft bill on sexual and reproductive health, including abortion

by International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion
July 31, 2018

Background

Under the Penal Code of Côte d’Ivoire, Law No. 81-640, 31 July 1981, abortion is prohibited except to save the life of the pregnant woman, if it is seriously endangered. Although this implies that it is an emergency situation, the attending physician must consult two additional physicians, who must certify that her life can only be saved by a surgical/therapeutic abortion. If only one other physician resides in the local area, the attending physician need only consult with this physician. If the treating physician is the only physician locally, s/he must certify on her/his honour that the life of the woman can only be saved by an abortion. The Penal Code also prohibits promotion of abortion by means of public discussion or advertisement or by distribution or sale of substances or objects. But it no longer contains similar restrictions on contraception that were enacted by the French colonial government in 1920.

Continued: http://www.safeabortionwomensright.org/cote-divoire-ivoire-soir-net-publishes-an-exclusive-story-text-of-a-draft-bill-on-sexual-and-reproductive-health-including-abortion