17th August, 2011
AMREF position on abortion
A safe abortion, according to the UN, is one performed by skilled and trained clinical practitioners in sterile clinical settings, with complete post abortion care provision.
Unsafe abortions are those terminations performed either by unskilled practitioners or in non-medical settings, or both.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) an estimated 4.2 million African women resort to unsafe abortions each year, and 30,000 die as a result.
Besides the heavy toll on deaths due to unsafe abortions, for every death, 20 to 30 women suffer permanent damage to their uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, intestines or bladder.
Africa accounts for almost 50% of the world's deaths from unsafe abortions
AMREF position
- We believe that legalisation of abortion can prevent the unnecessary suffering and death of women in Africa.
- Knowledge about the correct use of contraceptives, as well as having a variety or methods to choose from, would greatly reduce the chances of unwanted or ill-timed pregnancies and therefore the need for abortions.
- Effective contraception services would enable women and families to avoid unwanted pregnancies which often lead to unsafe abortion.
How AMREF responds to the issue
- Promote reproductive health rights across sub-Saharan Africa, including those that help women make informed choices about family planning.
- Access to obstetric care and management of pregnancy and abortion complications.
- Promotes and provides care for post-abortion complications within emergency obstetric care packages, irrespective of the legal status of the induced abortion.