Center to Defend Landmark Decision in Kenya Guaranteeing Abortion Access for Survivors of Sexual Violence

Anti-rights groups seek to overturn a 2019 judgment in the case of a 14-year-old girl who died as a result of an unsafe abortion in Kenya.

Center for Reproductive Rights
June 10, 2025

In 2019, the High Court of Kenya affirmed that the Kenyan Constitution guarantees survivors of sexual violence access to safe and legal abortion care. The historic decision came in a case brought by the Center for Reproductive Rights and its partners on behalf of the family of JMM, a 14-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted, became pregnant, and died from complications of an unsafe abortion.

The Center is expected to be at the Kenya Court of Appeal in the coming weeks to defend that judgment from anti-rights groups that are asking the Court to overturn it. In appealing the High Court’s decision in the case, FIDA-Kenya and others v. Attorney General and others, the Kenyan Christian Professional Forum and the Kenya Attorney General argue that abortion is not a constitutional right.

Continued: https://reproductiverights.org/jmm-fida-appeal-abortion-kenya/

10.06.2025

Commentary

Center for Reproductive Rights

High Court of Kenya

JMM

Kenya Court of Appeal

Kenyan Christian Professional Forum

Martin Onyango

Salima Namusobya

Standards and Guidelines for Reducing Morbidity and Mortality from Unsafe Abortion in Kenya

Enhancing reproductive health services through on-site mentorship in Kenya

01 June 2025

At the busy Kitengela Hospital of Kajiado County in Southern Kenya, nurses Jackline Tabo and Grace Nyangweso bring healing in the quiet rooms where life’s most fragile moments happen. They are proud participants in WHO Kenya’s on-site mentorship, an initiative that’s designed to enhance the quality of sexual and reproductive health services at the point of care.

The mentorship initiative was rolled out in high volume facilities across six counties—Kajiado, Samburu, Marsabit, Tana River, Laikipia, and Siaya between March and May 2025. From Oloitokitok Hospital at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro to Korr Health Centre in the deserts of Marsabit County, the 12 highly skilled mentors were able to provide structured, hands-on training to over 300 healthcare workers, equipping them with clinical knowledge and skills on Family Planning and Post Abortion Care.

Continued: https://www.afro.who.int/countries/kenya/news/enhancing-reproductive-health-services-through-site-mentorship-kenya

01.06.2025

World Health Organization

Unmuting abortion conversation in Kenya

Behind each statistic is a woman or girl navigating stigma or neglect by the systems meant to protect her

by DORIS OMAO
22 May 2025

In Kenya today, nearly 800,000 women make a silent, dangerous journey each year.

According to the recently released national report by the Ministry of Health, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), and the Guttmacher Institute, an estimated 792,694 induced abortions occurred in 2023, equivalent to 57 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age.

These numbers should jolt us into action. Behind each statistic is a woman or girl navigating misinformation, stigma, policy ambiguity, or outright neglect by the systems meant to protect her.

Continued: https://www.the-star.co.ke/opinion/2025-05-22-omao-unmuting-abortion-conversation-in-kenya

22.05.2025

Commentary

Abuja Declaration

African Population and Health Research Center

Center for Reproductive Rights

Kenya – Shocking statistics should make us to re-look abortion laws

by Kavutha Mutua
May. 19, 2025

Recently, I attended the launch of the National Study on the Incidence of Induced Abortions and the Severity of Abortion-Related Complications in Kenya. The findings? Eye-opening. But the online reaction? Even more telling.

It turns out that 79 per cent of post-abortion care patients are married women, and 90 per cent identify as Christians. Yes, you read that right, Christian, married women. So much for the age-old myth that abortion is a sinful pastime reserved for reckless teenagers.

For too long, Kenya has clung to a harmful stereotype; that abortion is the consequence of youth, immorality, and poor decision-making. But the data says otherwise. The majority of those seeking abortion services are women aged 25–34, many of whom have already had children. So if we’re being honest, this isn’t a story of careless girls. It’s about grown women, wives, mothers, Christians, making private decisions in a hostile legal and moral climate.

Continued: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/opinion/article/2001519397/shocking-statistics-should-make-us-to-re-look-abortion-laws

19.05.2025

Opinion

Incidence of Induced Abortions and the Severity of Abortion-related Complications in Kenya

International Day of Families

‘A direct attack’: US, European anti-rights groups descend on ‘family values’ events in Africa

Ultra-conservative groups from the US and Europe are attending a “family values” conference in Kenya this week – one of several planned in Africa this year – in what activists are describing as a “direct attack” on LGBT and women’s rights.

17/05/2025
By: Joanna YORK

The Pan-African conference on Family Values began in Nairobi on Monday with a call to wage a “biblical” fight for the family unit from Anne Mbugua, chairperson of event organiser the Africa Christian Professionals Forum.

The conference is one of several planned across Africa this year, backed by wealthy US ultra-Christian groups, including Family Watch International, Christian Council International, the Center for Family and Human Rights, and the Family Policy Institute.

Continued: https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20250517-a-direct-attack-us-european-anti-rights-groups-descend-on-family-values-events-in-africa

Kenya – Women staring at death over poor post-abortion care

Thursday, May 15, 2025
By Angela Oketch

Only two out of every 10 primary-level health facilities in Kenya are equipped to provide basic post-abortion care (PAC) to women, a new study has revealed.

The study conducted by the Ministry of Health, the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), and the Guttmacher Institute found that just 18.3 per cent of facilities met the minimum criteria for delivering basic PAC services.

Continued: https://nation.africa/kenya/health/women-staring-at-death-over-poor-post-abortion-care-5042470

15.05.2025

News

African Population and Health Research Center

Annet Nerima

Kenya Human Rights Commission

Pregnant despite protection: Startling data on contraceptive failures in Kenya

Tuesday, May 13, 2025
By Kamau Maichuhie

What you need to know:

Study reveals urgent need for contraception access, education, and improved post-abortion care nationwide.

High abortion rates linked to contraceptive failures, access issues, stigma, and limited post-abortion care.

Continued: https://nation.africa/kenya/news/gender/pregnant-despite-protection-startling-data-on-contraceptive-failures-in-kenya-5038294

13.05.2025

News

Africa Population and Health Research Centre

Kenya – Rights groups demand more funds to curb abortion deaths

By Mercy Kahenda
May 12, 2025

Human rights defenders have petitioned Parliament to allocate more funds for maternal and reproductive health services in a bid to curb unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and related deaths.

Their call follows findings from a recent study indicating that at least 972,694 induced abortions were reported in 2023.

Additionally, the report shows that 355 women die annually for every 10,000 live births due to pregnancy-related complications, many of which are linked to unintended pregnancies.

Continued: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/health-science/article/2001518789/rights-groups-demand-more-funds-to-curb-abortion-deaths#google_vignette

Kenya’s national study reveals urgent gaps in reproductive health—and a path forward

Carolyne Okallo, Youth and Communications Advisor, Ipas Africa Alliance
May 9, 2025

A recently released national report details a study highlighting gaps in Kenya’s sexual and reproductive health services—and gives compelling evidence that expanding access to modern and effective family planning and contraception is crucial to preventing unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortion methods.

Ipas Africa Alliance was part of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) that provided support for the study, “Incidence of Induced Abortions and the Severity of Abortion-related Complications in Kenya”. The joint study conducted by the Ministry of Health, the African Population and Health Research Center and Guttmacher Institute outlines the systemic changes needed to improve women’s reproductive health in Kenya.

Continued: https://www.ipas.org/news/kenyas-national-study-reveals-urgent-gaps-in-reproductive-health-and-a-path-forward/

09.05.2025

Research

African Population and Health Research Center

Kenya – Why cases of unsafe abortion are rising

Wednesday, May 07, 2025

Women and girls who become pregnant from rape or defilement are avoiding healthcare facilities, instead risking their lives through unregulated procedures due to fear of prosecution and unclear abortion legislation, according to the Reproductive Health and Rights Alliance.

"The perception that abortion remains universally illegal drives vulnerable survivors underground, where they face life-threatening complications, including haemorrhage, infection, and permanent injury. Constitutional ambiguity has also created a healthcare crisis," explains Annet Nerima, programme manager at the Kenya Human Rights Commission.

Continued: https://nation.africa/kenya/health/why-cases-of-unsafe-abortion-are-rising-5031386

07.05.2025