The Business Press – July 03, 2023 at 06:54PM
In sub-Saharan Africa, the challenging issue of unsafe abortions and unintended pregnancies remains prevalent, coupled with the societal pressures faced by women who become pregnant before marriage. Efforts to ensure safe and legal abortions in the region faced a setback with the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, causing concern among advocates.
Following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, several U.S.-based organizations have been emboldened in their anti-abortion activities in Africa. One such organization, Family Watch International, has faced criticism for its Christian conservative stance, including its opposition to LGBTQ+ rights and abortion access. Its efforts to influence African governments and advocate for the revocation of abortion laws have sparked controversy.
Family Watch International’s president, Sharon Slater, claimed that the introduction of legal abortion, along with sex education and LGBTQ+ rights, by donor countries was part of a “sexual social recolonization of Africa.” She argued that capturing the hearts and minds of Africa’s children through indoctrination would shape the future of the continent. This rhetoric has gained attention in African countries, including Malawi, where lobbying against a bill that would permit limited abortions was successful.
African experts express concerns that the backlash against abortion rights in the U.S. may hinder the progress made in improving safe abortion procedures in Africa. The potential withdrawal of international reproductive health assistance from the U.S. government, a major donor, adds to the apprehension. With an estimated 77% of abortions in sub-Saharan Africa classified as unsafe, the availability of legal and safer abortion procedures is vital.
Abortion opponents in East Africa have been particularly vocal, perpetuating an anti-rights narrative. Limited access to sex education and legal abortions for pregnancies resulting from rape, incest, or those threatening health exacerbate the problem. While some member countries of the East African Community are still debating a sexual and reproductive health bill, conservative organizations criticize provisions that allow abortion under certain circumstances.
Abortion providers in sub-Saharan Africa face harassment and numerous challenges in providing safe healthcare. Kenya’s national reproductive health policy has drawn criticism for neglecting safe abortion care. In Uganda, advocating for abortion rights remains taboo, with advocates facing discrimination. Consequently, some women resort to self-mutilation, putting their lives at risk. Ethiopia has witnessed a worrying trend, with fewer public health facilities offering abortions and a rise in women seeking care after unsafe procedures.
The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision has rekindled the debate around abortion rights in sub-Saharan Africa, potentially reversing the gains made in ensuring safe and legal abortions. The influence of external organizations, coupled with societal pressures and limited access to sex education, contribute to the challenges faced by women in the region. It is crucial for African governments and civil society to prioritize women’s reproductive health and ensure that access to safe abortion procedures remains a reality, promoting the well-being of women and society as a whole.
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