Why young girls and women still go for unsafe abortion services

Unsafe abortion is the number one cause of maternal death in Kenya.  Even after a lot of sensitization on the dangers of unsafe abortion, many young girls and women still opt to procure unsafe abortion services.

It is estimated that 300,000 abortions are procured every year in Kenya and over 25,000 women go to government hospitals with complications due to unsafe abortion. Moreover, more than 2600 women die annually from unsafe abortion here in Kenya. Unsafe abortion is rampant in Nyanza region especially in Kisumu County, Kisii County and Siaya County.

But why are young girls and women still going for unsafe abortion services? Well am going to mention the main reasons as to they still opt for this life threatening procedure.

Safe abortion services are very expensive to begin with. Public hospitals in Kenya don’t offer safe abortion services. Most of abortion services are done by both local and international NGOs. The minimal amount one would need to procure safe abortion services here in Kenya is 3500 shillings. Considering that these young girls and women are poor or come from a poor background, it will be difficult for them to raise such an amount. Thus, opt to go to a quack who will charge them as low as 300 shillings.

The stigma and discrimination that surrounds abortion is hindering young girls and women from accessing safe abortion services. No woman would want to be the talk in town or be seen going to procure safe abortion services in a health center. Women who procure abortion services are referred to as murders and are treated as outcasts in the society. This forces young women and girls to seek abortion services secretly from quacks.

Men are also enablers of unsafe abortion. It is we men who pressure our women to procure abortion services when they get pregnant and we are not ready to take responsibilities. We never mind where she is going to procure abortion services. All we want to see is the pregnancy terminated. Since the woman is desperate, she ends up in the hands of a quack who offers cheap and poor services putting her life in danger.

Lack of information is another reason why young women still go for unsafe abortion. There are still a lot myths and misconception that surrounds abortion more so in rural areas. (I.e.:  A lot women believe that if you take detergents, take plenty of painkillers the pregnancy will be terminated). These practices end up bringing a lot of health complication to them and can lead to death.

The law prohibits abortion in Kenya. Many girls and women fear being caught and sent to jail so they prefer procuring abortion services from quacks secretly without being caught by the arms of the law. Restrictive abortion laws in the country are a major cause for women seeking unsafe abortion services.

Lack of access to safe abortion services has also made young girls and women seek the services of quacks. Women in rural areas don’t have access to these services making them vulnerable to quacks who offer cheap and poor services.

If we are to end unsafe abortion in this country, we need comprehensive sexual education in all learning institutions, universal access to quality and accurate reproductive health services and information and empowerment of women.