No end to abortion debate as teams plan more talks

By Peter Orengo

As the Committee of Experts and the PSC on Constitution will be meeting this week to iron out pending issues, top on the table will be debate on abortion and when life begins.

Various leaders and interest groups have voiced concerns draft provisions on when life starts, if not handled with care, could be tantamount to legalising abortion.

Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society and rights groups have warned legislating on when life begins could expose some women to risk.

A reproductive health specialist Joachim Osur said the Constitution should guarantee everyone’s right to life in the Bill of Rights.

Dr Osur said details on when life begins or when abortion is permissible should be dealt with in an Act of Parliament rather than the Constitution.

"Entrenching this issue in the Constitution is like tying the hands of a doctor, who would have saved at least one life when both are in danger," Osur claimed.

Social matter

At the same time, he added the decision to carry on a pregnancy lies with the bearer and her circumstance and that abortion is a social issue because people who opt for it should do so out of necessity.

At the same time, the Catholic Church has protested over a move by PSC to alter a clause, which hold that life starts with conception to state it starts at birth.

"People don’t involve in abortion because it is legal or illegal. What worries doctors is the increase in unsafe abortion, which leads to death. We can avoid this if all people played their role in society well," said Osur.

Said he: "What about mothers who could be in danger but live in remote areas where doctors are unavailable. They may suffer if the clause is not reviewed."

Meanwhile, a Catholic Lay Association that includes movements, professionals and family groups insist the definition of life’s beginning must be entrenched in the constitution.

In a statement signed by 11 Catholic professionals led by Dr Stephen Karanja, they warned the move to define that life starts at birth was tantamount to legalising abortion.

"As the Catholic Laity, we strongly support the position that life begins at conception," said Karanja.

Kenya is governed by a law that prohibits abortion except in exceptional cases where the life of the mother is threatened.

Several health care providers protested against the inclusion of a clause into the Harmonized Draft Constitution by the Parliamentary Select Committee that states that life begins at conception.

They argue the simple inclusion of the clause will not stem irresponsible sexual activities and unwanted conceptions.

 

Read all about: PSC Committee of Experts Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society

 

 

---