Unsafe abrotion still a crisis

Dr Kaseba

By DOREEN NAWA

FIRST Lady Christine Kaseba says unsafe abortion still remains a crisis in Zambia.

Dr Kaseba said social attitudes towards pregnancies have contributed to the increase in unsafe abortions.

“The topic of abortion comes with so many questions that cannot easily find answers and remember that it is not easy for a woman to opt for an abortion.

“Women go through a lot before deciding and it will be unfair for society to judge them before getting to know why such a decision was made,” Dr Kaseba said.

Dr Kaseba was speaking in Lusaka on Thursday night during the launch of a documentary titled ‘Conversations on abortion’.

The documentary produced by Ipas Zambia, depicts Zambian women and girls who have undergone unsafe abortion and the impact it has had on their lives and families.

She has called for all Zambians to get concerned and play a role in saving the lives of women in the country.

Dr Kaseba said religious and traditional beliefs are big challenges in promoting safe abortion.

She said in Zambia, statistics indicate that unsafe abortions contribute up to 30 percent of the maternal mortality ratio.

Dr Kaseba said women and girls have been victims due to these challenges, forcing them to abort secretly by using unsafe methods under the fear of being recognized while forgetting the risks of taking the action.

And speaking at the same event, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, Professor Elwyn Chomba, said, “Deaths as a result of unsafe abortion among women and girls are avoidable and unnecessary in a country where there is an abortion law in place.”

Prof Chomba wishes that the ministry be given a mandate to go in communities and sensitize the people on abortion.

And speaking earlier, World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative Olusegun Ayorinde Babaniyi says unsafe abortions are one of the leading causes of maternal death and illness around the world and yet they could be prevented.

“The terrible effects of unsafe abortions go well beyond the individual woman. Losing a mother and caregiver devastates the lives of children and families, and losing a healthy woman’s contributions to society reduces productivity and weakens her community,” Dr Babaniyi said.