KENYA – Rights groups urge government to decriminalise safe abortion

By KNA
September 30, 2026

Reproductive Health Human Rights Lobby Groups in Nakuru have petitioned the government to decriminalise safe abortion in Kenya, citing rising numbers of unsafe procedures and maternal deaths.

The civil society organisations, including the Reproductive Health Champions Organisation (RHCO), the Nakuru Reproductive Health Network (NRHN), and the Hope in Life Society (HILS), made the call during this year’s International Safe Abortion Day on Monday.

Continued: https://www.kbc.co.ke/rights-groups-urge-government-to-decriminalise-safe-abortion/

Statement by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Occasion of International Safe Abortion Day

Sep 28, 2026

Banjul, The Gambia– On the occasion of International Safe Abortion Day, observed globally on 28 September, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) underscores the critical and urgent message of the 2026 theme: “Solidarity in Action: Advance Reproductive Justice and Urgently Strengthen Health Systems for Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC)!”

Across our continent, unsafe abortion remains a devastating public health crisis and a grave violation of fundamental human rights, deeply compounded by ongoing socio-economic, humanitarian, and environmental emergencies. True reproductive justice, as envisioned by the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (The Maputo Protocol), requires more than just legal frameworks; it demands robust, resilient health systems.

Continued: https://achpr.au.int/en/news/press-releases/2026-09-28/statement-african-commission-human-and-peoples-rights-occasion

28.09.2026

Commentary

African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Comprehensive Abortion Care

decriminalisation of abortion

International Safe Abortion Day

Joint civil society organisations statement on International Safe Abortion Day 2026: Safe abortion is essential healthcare: A call to action

Sep 28, 2026

We join women, girls, and human rights defenders across Africa and the globe on this 28th day of September to commemorate the 2026 International Safe Abortion Day, reaffirming a simple truth: safe abortion is essential healthcare.

We are reminded of the transformative power of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol), which is lauded as one of the most progressive and comprehensive legal instruments for the promotion and protection of women’s rights globally, particularly in the area of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Adopted in 2003 by the African Union, the Protocol goes beyond existing international human rights standards by explicitly articulating a wide array of SRHR protections that are often left ambiguous or unstated in other international and regional human rights instruments.

Continued: https://equalitynow.org/news/news-and-insights/joint-civil-society-organisations-statement-on-international-safe-abortion-day-2026-safe-abortion-is-essential-healthcare-a-call-to-action/

28.09.2026

Commentary

International Safe Abortion Day

Maputo Protocol

maternal deaths

Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa

sexual and reproductive health and rights

Beyond unmet need: Putting rights, choice, and investment at the center of sexual and reproductive health and rights

Sep 23, 2026
by Shobha Shukla

Ahead of World Contraception Day (26th September) and International Safe Abortion Day (28th September), “we demand accessible, safe, legal, and stigma-free abortion care for all. Safe abortion is an essential and lifesaving aspect of sexual and reproductive healthcare and a fundamental human right, as well as central to reproductive freedom and justice. It is also a cornerstone of gender equality and the human right to health and achieving the SDGs. Access to a full range of proven contraception options is also critical, along with other sexual and reproductive health services,” said Shobha Shukla, Coordinator and Host of SHE & Rights and Executive Director, CNS.

“With just 51 months left to deliver on the SDG goals and targets of gender equality and health rights, not only is the progress way off the mark (if any), but attacks against bodily autonomy and gender and health rights have been growing around the world. Women’s bodies, bodily autonomy, sexual health and rights, and reproductive health and rights and freedom and justice have been a ground of war by patriarchy and its allies for a long time,” added feminist leader Shobha Shukla.

Continued: https://theforefrontmagazine.com/beyond-unmet-need-putting-rights-choice-and-investment-at-the-center-of-sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-rights/

East Africans support women’s autonomy in marriage and reproductive decisions but are divided on contraceptive access and abortion

Large majorities back sex education and keeping pregnant girls in school.

Anne Okello and Bernice Appiah
16 Sep 2026

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are essential yet inadequately realised across Africa, undermining individual well-being, bodily integrity, and autonomy – particularly for women and girls (Bongomin & August, 2026). While 46 African states have ratified the Maputo Protocol, the continent’s principal legal instrument on women’s rights, substantial implementation gaps persist, contributing to the continent’s poor reproductive-health outcomes….

In East Africa, governments have made strides in developing policies and initiatives to expand sexuality education, family planning, and reproductive freedom. However, access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive services remains inconsistent, largely because critical SRHR components have not been fully integrated into primary health-care systems…

Continued: https://www.afrobarometer.org/publication/ad1232-east-africans-support-womens-autonomy-in-marriage-and-reproductive-decisions-but-are-divided-on-contraceptive-access-and-abortion/

16.09.2026

Commentary

Afrobarometer survey

Maputo Protocol

public support for abortion

sexual and reproductive health and rights

Africa

Human Rights

Anti-rights Charter Faces ‘Very Long Process’ to Reach African Union

Sept 2, 2026
Kerry Cullinan

A draft charter on “family, sovereignty and values”, which would significantly undermine the rights of African women and girls, is not likely to be presented to the African Union (AU) General Assembly next February – despite a push from its conservative sponsors.

“That draft instrument has not got to the AU yet, and it is important to state categorically that it was not proposed by the African Union,” said ⁠Dr Robert Eno, Registrar of the AU’s African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Continued: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/anti-rights-charter-faces-very-long-process-to-reach-african-union/

02.09.2026

African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights

African Union General Assembly

Dr Robert Eno

Fatou Bintou Sallah

Girls Not Brides

Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa

Sexual Health with Equity & Rights

SHE & Rights

⁠Vimbai Kapurura

Nigeria – Aunt recalls how niece died after ingesting drugs to abort foetus

By Juliana Francis
August 23, 2026

Tears filled Modinat’s eyes as she recalled the painful loss of her niece, 28‑year‑old Bukola, who died last August from complications of an unsafe abortion. Bukola, who lived with Modinat, had initially complained of stomach pain. Relatives believed it was a minor illness. But as her condition worsened, the truth emerged.

“One day, she suddenly became sick,” Modinat recounted. “She kept complaining of stomach pain but refused to tell anyone it was from the drugs she had taken to abort the pregnancy.

Despite the family’s efforts, Bukola grew weaker. By the time she was rushed to the general hospital, she was unable to speak and scribbled her confession on a piece of paper. She died shortly after, leaving behind a child now in Modinat’s care.

Continued; https://theeagleonline.com.ng/aunt-recalls-how-niece-died-after-ingesting-drugs-to-abort-foetus/

23.08.2026

Abortion in Africa: diverging paths of DR Congo and Nigeria under the Maputo Protocol

BMJ Essay, Open access
23 July 2026
Amos M Makelele, Baraka Marthe Kalyoko, Agness Shimilimo, Million Teklay Solomon, Simon Binezero Mambo, Iacane Bampoque, Gbolahan O Obajimi

Abortion policies in DRC and Nigeria: public health impacts
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Nigeria, two of Africa’s largest and most populous nations, present unique yet interconnected narratives on abortion law and women’s reproductive rights. Both countries grapple with alarmingly high maternal mortality rates, a significant proportion of which is driven by complications from unsafe abortions.1 These challenges, rooted in restrictive legal frameworks, inadequate healthcare infrastructure and sociocultural barriers, highlight the critical need for reform in reproductive health policies and practices.

In the DRC, maternal mortality stands at an estimated 427 deaths per 100 000 live births.2 In Nigeria, the case is even worse, with maternal mortality rates reaching 993 deaths per 100 000 live births.3 One of the significant factors for these figures is unsafe abortion, especially in rural and underserved areas where access to quality reproductive healthcare remains restricted. According to the WHO, unsafe abortion contributes to 13% of global maternal deaths,4 but in Sub-Saharan Africa, it accounts for over 30%.5 These numbers highlight the significance of unsafe abortion as a public health crisis in the region, which demands urgent attention and action.

Continued: https://gh.bmj.com/content/11/7/e020673

23.07.2026

Commentary

Belgian Penal Code of 1940

Ipas

Maputo Protocol

maternal mortality

Youth Alliance for Reproductive Health

Africa

Democratic Republic of Congo

Women are dying in Africa as US ramps up its global battle against abortion

Monika Pronczuk And Thalia Beaty, The Associated Press
Jul 18, 2026

KISUMU, Kenya (AP) — For decades, U.S. anti-abortion groups have lobbied domestically and abroad for restricting access to abortion. In the U.S., their biggest success was the reversal of Roe v. Wade. Now, the Trump administration is delivering new momentum to the movement exporting “family values” to nations overseas.

At anti-abortion activists’ annual March for Life demonstration in Washington, Vice President JD Vance announced sweeping new restrictions on U.S. funding for nongovernmental organizations, foreign governments and U.N. agencies that promote access to abortion, gender-affirming care and diversity initiatives overseas.

“We’re going to start blocking every international NGO that performs or promotes abortion abroad from receiving a dollar of U.S. money,” Vance told the crowd in January.

Continued: https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/women-are-dying-in-africa-as-us-ramps-up-its-global-battle-against-abortion/article_2bee500d-1033-50c6-a64b-1a73a1f4779c.html

18.07.2026

Commentary

Research

African Christian Professionals Forum

African Population and Health Research Center

Charles Kanjama

Dominic Omollo

E.R. Donnelly

Family Research Council

Family Watch International

Focus on the Family

Hannah Ruguru

Institute for Journalism and Social Change

Marie Stopes International

Promoting and Protecting Family Values in Challenging Times

Sharon Slater

Thalia Beaty

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Takeaways from AP’s report on the impact of US aid restrictions on reproductive rights in Africa

Monika Pronczuk, The Associated Press
Jul 18, 2026

KISUMU, Kenya (AP) — The abortion debate in America is putting lives of women thousands of miles away at risk, particularly in Africa.

For decades, U.S. anti-abortion groups have lobbied for more restrictions on abortion at home and abroad. This year, the Trump administration delivered new momentum to the movement exporting “family values” overseas. It announced sweeping restrictions on U.S. funding for organizations that work on abortion-related issues overseas, which can impact up to $30 billion in aid.

These new restrictions build on the work that U.S. anti-abortion groups have been doing for years in Africa, where healthcare systems are highly dependent on foreign funding.

Continued: https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/takeaways-from-aps-report-on-the-impact-of-us-aid-restrictions-on-reproductive-rights-in/article_87b5e6cc-67a5-56ad-8310-15c469e2b03f.html