Abortion has been a complicated issue for many individuals,debating whether it should be illegal or not.According to the Oxford Dictionary,abortion has been defined as the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first twenty eight weeks of pregnancy. Matters reproductive health, laws regulated by Article 26(IV) of the Constitution of Kenya state that, abortion is not permitted unless, in the opinion of a trained health professional, there is need for emergency treatment, or the life or health of the mother is in danger,or if permitted by any other written law.
Dr.John Nyamu, a consultant gynecologist with over twenty years of specializing in reproductive health and also the national chairman of Reproductive Health Network,presented his work to expand safe abortions services in Kenya at the International Women's Health Coalition.He consequently promoted use of misoprostol and medical abortion drugs in the community,especially the use by the young women in colleges and universities.
However, in as much as safe abortion is available in the country, most of the young girls and women are not able to access the services, may be because of the high costs of the process, or rather because of the fact that they want to undergo the procedure secretly without the knowledge of their families.This could be because of the shame that comes with pregnancies at a pre-mature age and it might change the parent's view about them.
In the pursuit of ways to terminate the pregnancy, people opt for "back street" treatment maybe because they are presumably cheaper and more affordable.In this process,one is likely to encounter all sorts of quacks who claim to be well equipped in the job,and they probably tell tales of how they have helped a lot of people in the "journey" of abortion.
The patients innocently have the abortions,but because the "doctor" is not a professional, they end up experiencing severe damages.Others prefer "over the counter abortion pills" which if taken without any safety measures could also lead to harmful physical harm to the user."The rich have an opportunity to take their children to 5-star hospitals and procure a safe abortion, silently without anyone knowing or speaking.But the poor have to struggle,"words from Esther Passaris,a member of the National Assembly.
According to Prof.Joachim Osur,a reproductive and sexual health expert at Amref International university in Nairobi,high-profile arrests over the years have made the situation "dangerous for health workers."This is because some security personnel are not aware of the fact that there are well-trained doctors,who are licensed to perform safe abortions.
On the other hand,what does religious institutions have to say on the topic of abortions?Exodus 21:22-25,Jeremiah 1:5, but this particular one caught my attention, Genesis 9:6,"whoever sheds human blood,by humans shall their blood;for in the image of God has God made mankind." A rather twisted and at the same time straightforward notion of where the Bible stands on the issue of abortion.The Roman Catholic church,Hinduism,African Methodist church,just to mention but a few,oppose abortion rights with no exceptions.It should not at any point cross your mind to terminate a pregnancy according to them.Anti-abortion campaigners and associated religious organizations in Kenya,insist the law is clear,abortion is illegal.However,Islam on the other end,has no clear position in the matter,and lacks a single organizational authority.
A 2020 study found out that unsafe abortion is responsible for the deaths of nearly 2,600 women and girls in Kenya every year.Abortion can easily result in depression since it's a stressful ordeal for a woman's body and conscience because many end up with regrets of having undergone the procedure.Young girls and women should be highly educated on use of family planning,contraceptives and all other healthy reproductive measures to avoid unwanted pregnancies that lead to abortions.
The lack of harmony in understanding has convoluted the debate over the ethical and legal activity of abortion understanding if an embryo can be equalized.In spite of all this,I firmly believe that abortion brings more harm than good,and in circumstances where it can be avoided,then let us choose to make the right decision.
By CATHERINE WAMBUI MAINA, Student at Chuka University.
MWINGI TIMES for timely and authoritative news.
No comments
Post a Comment