By: Peter Mbitiro
The rate of abortions has been on the rise in recent years in Kenya, and a staggering 20,000 girls in the country seek care for abortion-related complications annually.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that each year in Kenya at least 3,000 women die of unsafe abortion-related complications and half a million more suffer short and long term morbidities.
The right to terminate pregnancy continues to be the most contended debates across the world. And it is still illegal in Kenya but sexual and reproductive health and rights advocates have been calling for full implementation of a policy and guidelines that permits abortion by choice.
In Kenya today, 700 girls between age 10 and 19 are getting pregnant daily, and many lose their lives trying to procure abortions in backstreet clinics, and many of these operations are conducted illegally by unprofessional health officers. Abortion is permitted only when in the opinion of trained health professional when there is need for emergency treatment or the health of mother is in great danger that is according to Article (24)
Many of those who terminate pregnancies, sink into great depression and they may even contemplate suicide. Apart from excruciating pain of terminating pregnancy, they also suffer worse emotional pain, which they will have to carry for the rest of their lives.
In recent months, sexual and unproductive health and rights advocates say abortion is not a morality issue but a public health issue. They are trying to advocate abortion by choice, however this does not sit well with many who know that babies are gift from God.
If abortions are to be legalized today, then it means that the rate of those who are being involved in the act will raise rapidly, many clinics will now be open in a day-broad-light and operating 24/7. This will also increase the number of quacks in the health sector operating without licenses behind in their backstreet clinics.
It also exhibits how many people including teens would be involved in careless sex knowing that they can terminate the fetus anytime they want to.
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