Seeking care post-abortion agonises in Kenya, Tanzania

Restrictive abortion laws inflict deadly cost on fearful patients

by Nelly Madegwa and Rehema Mpemba
24 July 2025

In a small clinic on the outskirts of Nairobi, a young woman lies unconscious on a hospital bed, her body weakened by severe bleeding. Two days earlier, she had taken pills from an unlicensed chemist in a desperate attempt to terminate her pregnancy.

In Dar es Salaam, another woman fights for her life after consuming a dangerous herbal mixture meant to induce abortion.

Their stories are not unique. They represent thousands of women across Kenya and Tanzania who risk their lives each year due to restrictive abortion laws that push them towards unsafe procedures.

Despite both countries signing the Maputo Protocol, a treaty advocating for reproductive rights, Kenya and Tanzania continue to criminalise abortion, creating a paradox where women are denied safe healthcare even when their lives are at risk.

Continued: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/big-read/2025-07-24-seeking-care-post-abortion-agonises-in-kenya-tanzania

Safe abortion in Tanzania: A call for change

Esther Kassanga
Oct 6, 2024

SAFE abortion is not commonly accepted in Tanzanian society, where many cultural norms oppose it. However, have you ever considered the plight of women who become pregnant due to rape? Do they want to carry those pregnancies to term?

Across our communities, various scenarios underscore the urgent need for laws that allow victims, or any woman unable to carry a pregnancy to term, to access safe abortion services without facing judgment or misunderstanding.

Tragically, many deaths in our communities stem from unsafe abortions, often performed by women who are denied access to proper healthcare facilities.

Continued: https://dailynews.co.tz/safe-abortion-in-tanzania-a-call-for-change/

Tanzania – Abortion Day: Stakeholders call for collective voices for change

By Guardian Reporter , The Guardian
Sep 30 2024

AS the world marks International Safe Abortion Day on September28th, Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights Africa (WGNRR Africa) and its partners have called for collective voices for change so as the nation to get the accesses to rights on safe abortion for women and girls.

WGNRR Africa and its partners met in Dar es Salaam and discuss issues related to the promotion of safe, legal, and accessible abortion services and the advocacy for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and the day carries profound significance in the ongoing struggle for women's rights and the pursuit of gender equality.

Continued: https://www.ippmedia.com/the-guardian/features/read/abortion-day-stakeholders-call-for-collective-voices-for-change-2024-09-30-134705

How USAID is helping Zanzibar accelerate progress towards reducing maternal, newborn mortality

Issa Yussuf in Zanzibar
Aug 20, 2024

ZANZIBAR: SINCE 2016, maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and infant mortality rate has been decreasing globally, particularly in two regions of central and south Asia and Australia and New Zealand.

With only six years to SDG 2030, researchers say that the goal of reaching a global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 70 maternal deaths per 100 000 livebirths remains elusive, as in many developing countries more than two hundred maternal deaths per 100 000 livebirths is still reported.

Continued: https://dailynews.co.tz/how-usaid-is-helping-zanzibar-accelerate-progress-towards-reducing-maternal-newborn-mortality/#google_vignette

20.08.2024

Tanzania – Awareness should be championed for young girls

Monday, November 21, 2022
By Hellen Nachilongo

The cultures of many African countries, including Tanzania, have had an adverse impact on the way information on Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) and the use of contraceptives is imparted to youth.

This has deprived the adolescents of critical information about SRH and contraceptive use, limiting their access to affordable and acceptable contraceptives of their choice.

Continued: https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/magazines/health-/awareness-should-be-championed-for-young-girls-4027458

21.11.2022

Empowering Women and Adolescent Girls Tanzania

Pathfinder International

Pendo Mofat

sexual and reproductive health

The case of the Maputo Protocol for Tanzania

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 19 2022
By Hellen Nachilongo

No matter how hard she tries, Julie Kaira* cannot stop herself from feeling the overwhelming shame that came as a result of the rape that she endured at the hands of her biological father, in his matrimonial house at that.

Although this took place three decades ago, she still shudders every time she recalls that unfortunate turn of events. Julie, now 42-years-old was raped at the age of 13. She says that it was normal to find her father at home during working days but little did she know that he was capable of being vile enough to rape his own daughter.

Continued: https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/magazines/health-/the-case-of-the-maputo-protocol-for-tanzania-3954070

Knowing Tanzania’s Stand On Abortion

9 JUNE 2022
By Anthony Tambwe, Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)

The word 'abortion', in most African societies, is usually spoken in hush tones, because to some, you might as well be discussing committing murder in public.

In some African communities, when you talk about abortion, they will most probably associate it with loose behavior, fornication, irresponsibility and poor attitude. It is unfortunate that only a few people in Tanzania know that abortion, in some cases, is allowed, despite the tough stance put by the laws of the land concerning the matter.

Continued: https://allafrica.com/stories/202206100121.html

09.06.2022

Dr. Abdullah Mtalusito

Maputo Protocol

Revised Penal Code of Tanzania

Tanzania: Govt Advised to Strengthen Legal Measures to Control Sexual Abuses

25 APRIL 2022
Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)

CALL has been made to improve laws to control sexual abuses which contribute to unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions among young girls.

A health expert and Country Director of Marie Stopes Tanzania (MST) Vadacanthara Chandrashekar, hinted this in Dar es Salaam during Iftar organized by Marie Stopes Tanzania to the Muslim community.

Continued: https://allafrica.com/stories/202204250093.html

25.04.2022

Featured

News

Maputo Protocol

Marie Stopes Tanzania

sexual abuse

unwanted pregnancy

Vadacanthara Chandrashekar

The costs of post-abortion care for Tanzania

MONDAY NOVEMBER 01 2021
By Salome Gregory

There is a lot of misinformation and misconception when it comes to reproductive health and the use of family planning methods.

In the end this costs the government Sh10.4 billion per year for treating a woman with post abortion care.

Continued: https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/magazines/the-costs-of-post-abortion-care-for-tanzania-3604068

Tanzania – With proper post abortion care, costs can be reduced

Anthony Tambwe
22/10/2021

When Ester (not her real name) missed her period that month, she did not think much about it, but as days turned into weeks, she knew she was in trouble.

It took her enough courage to go to the hospital to confirm her fears, and when the results came in, apart from knowing she was in trouble, she knew her life was ruined.

Continued: https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2021-10-2161715dcfbac07.aspx#