African Nations Encouraged to Strengthen Safe Abor...

African Nations Encouraged to Strengthen Safe Abortion Access to Protect Women’s Health and Rights

Audrey Galawu

Assistant Editor

Across Africa, reproductive rights, particularly the right to safe abortion, are at a crossroads. Despite progress made through regional and international agreements like CEDAW, the ICPD Programme of Action, and the Sustainable Development Goals, emerging conservative movements threaten to undermine these rights.

One significant challenge is the Geneva Consensus Declaration, which opposes the recognition of abortion as a human right and is gaining traction, even within African nations that have pledged to uphold gender equality and reproductive autonomy.

This Declaration, signed by several African governments, denies abortion as a human right and undermines commitments like CEDAW (1979), ICPD (1994), the Beijing Declaration (1995), and the Sustainable Development Goals, all of which advocate for reproductive autonomy and gender equality.

These commitments are essential, as unsafe abortions remain a leading cause of maternal mortality across the continent.

Dr Suchitra Dalvie, Co-Founder of the Asia Safe Abortion Partnership, asserts that that, "Safe abortion rights are critical to the progress of humankind because the inability to control fertility reduces opportunities for education, financial independence, and overall well-being.”

Criminalising abortion, she notes, does not stop the practice but instead limits safe options, putting women’s health and lives at risk.

The Geneva Consensus Declaration promotes conservative values that undermine reproductive autonomy by framing anti-abortion laws as a matter of national sovereignty.

Dr Rathnamala Desai of the International Planned Parenthood Federation warns that this Declaration "threatens the progress of gender equality" and enables countries to disregard global commitments to women’s health.

Desai highlights India’s success following its recent liberal abortion laws, which have helped reduce maternal mortality by expanding safe abortion access.

This pressure for restrictive abortion laws is particularly visible in Kenya, where, despite constitutional protections, the Geneva Consensus Declaration has led to a conflict between national policies and women’s rights.

Advocate Kavutha Mutua emphasises that “Kenya’s constitution provides for abortion, but our government’s signing of the Geneva Consensus Declaration undermines these protections.”

She adds that cultural and budgetary constraints further hinder access to safe abortion across Africa.

The Geneva Consensus Declaration’s effects have been felt even in countries like Nepal, which has a progressive abortion law.

Tushar Niroula, Executive Director of Marie Stopes International Nepal, points out that the Declaration emboldens conservative groups and fuels anti-abortion movements that may erode safe abortion laws, especially where religious opposition is strong.

“Geneva Consensus Declaration’s regressive stance not only threatens to roll back existing safe abortion laws but could also spur opposition from religious groups,” he notes, which could lead to increased unsafe abortions and related maternal deaths.

In the face of these threats, African leaders and advocates are pushing for strengthened reproductive rights and access to safe abortions. Menka Goundan from ARROW emphasises the need for education and policy advocacy, particularly through comprehensive sexuality education in schools.

“Comprehensive sexuality education should be integrated into school curriculums across East Africa,” she urges, as education is critical to reducing unsafe abortions and promoting informed reproductive choices.

With robust policy support and regional solidarity, African nations can prevent backsliding on reproductive rights.

Legalising and decriminalising abortion, as India and Nepal have done, has demonstrated significant improvements in maternal health and mortality rates, underscoring the importance of aligning national policies with international commitments.

By committing to safe abortion access as both a health and human rights issue, African countries can safeguard women’s lives, health, and autonomy while upholding their commitments to gender equality and progress for all.