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_WORLD WATCH______________________________
________________Kenya_______________
Proposal to legalize abortion
Government follows international trend
In response to claims that the legalization of abortion would cut down on the
number of women who die during pregnancy, pro-life groups in Kenya have pointed
out that the acceptance of abortion leads to new medical dangers for women.
The proposal for legalization of abortion was contained in a 100-page document, the Family Health Program Report, prepared by a team appointed by the government’s Health Standards and Regulatory Services Department. The report claims that many women suffer from serious medical problems as the result of illegal abortions performed by unqualified or unscrupulous doctors. The report says, “in keeping with international trends, elective abortion on request should be available with suitable safeguards to enable such abortion to be performed by doctors or certified health workers who will also give post-abortion care and follow-up.”
The Kenya constitution only
permits abortion in cases when the procedure is required for the preservation of
the mother’s life. Pro-life groups in Kenya point out that the legalization of
the procedure would do nothing to guarantee the safety of the mother.
Back to Catholic World Report November 2001 Table of Contents