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 – 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

News

Abuja Declaration

Annet Herima

Kenya Human Rights Commission

Linda Mama program

rape and abortion

Reproductive Health and Rights AllianceReproductive Health and Rights Alliance

How inadequate government funding for health is fuelling unsafe abortions

The Reproductive Health and Rights Alliance
6 May 2025

A recent study by the Ministry of Health, the African Population and Health Research Centre, and the Guttmacher Institute has shown that an estimated 792,694 induced abortions occurred in Kenya in 2023[1].

The study also revealed that more than half of all women with post-abortion complications received treatment in public health facilities.

However, the capacity of health facilities to provide basic and comprehensive post-abortion care was low, with only 18.3 per cent of primary health facilities offering all the elements of basic post-termination care and 24.1 per cent of referral-level facilities providing the full package of comprehensive post-abortion care.

Continued: https://khrc.or.ke/press-release/how-inadequate-government-funding-for-health-is-fuelling-unsafe-abortions/

06.05.2025

News

Research

Abuja Declaration

African Population and Health Research Centre

Center for Reproductive Rights highlights

Guttmacher Institute

post-abortion complications

Reproductive Health and Rights Alliance

Women’s Groups and Funders Respond to Global Gag Rule

Women’s Groups and Funders Respond to Global Gag Rule
Four successful strategies to mitigate the effects of a restrictive funding policy that the Trump administration reinstated.

By Leila Hessini
Apr. 10, 2019

As one of his first acts as president of the United States, Donald Trump reinstated a policy prohibiting organizations from receiving US government aid if they provide services, referrals, and advocacy related to abortion abroad. In late March 2019, the Trump administration expanded this policy to include subcontractors serving groups that provide or discuss abortion.

The United States is the world’s largest donor to global health, and abortion-related services are often integrated into general health care involving HIV, contraceptives, and families. The policy, known as the Mexico City Policy and dubbed the global gag rule by women’s groups to reflect the act’s intentions and impact, was first introduced by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. Since then, each Democratic president has rescinded it and each Republican president has reinstated it. Under Trump, the policy covers all $8.8 billion in US global health aid, nearly 15 times the reach of previous iterations.

Continued: https://ssir.org/articles/entry/womens_groups_and_funders_respond_to_global_gag_rule#

African MPs want laws on abortion harmonised

African MPs want laws on abortion harmonised

By Vision Reporter
Added 19th October 2017

African countries should safeguard reproductive health rights of women by permitting abortion in cases of sexual assault or where pregnancy poses a risk to the physical or mental health of a woman.

Legislators from the Pan African Parliament (PAP) are calling upon African countries that are signatories to the Maputo Protocol to comply.

A statement from Ugandan Parliament said they also urged States to decriminalise abortion by reforming their laws.

Continued at source: https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1463993/african-mps-laws-abortion-harmonised