Moses Odongo, founder of Family Medical Point in Uganda, received a call informing him that his 14-year-old cousin Christine died attempting to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. Odongo is grief-stricken and angered by Uganda’s restrictive abortion laws and culture, which he believes contributed to Christine’s death. Abortion is highly restricted in Uganda, with ambiguous laws leading to confusion and fear among both women seeking abortions and doctors providing them. This leads to unsafe practices and high death rates from abortion-related complications.
Despite the government providing post-abortion care, the stigma around abortion and lack of clear legislation result in women risking their lives and facing demonization for seeking care. Ugandan activists are working covertly to challenge restrictive laws and increase access to safe abortion services. International Safe Abortion Day, commemorated on September 28, is significant in Uganda, where unsafe abortions account for a significant number of maternal deaths.
Odongo and his team are conducting outreach programs to educate communities on the dangers of unsafe abortion, while sex workers and physicians are also participating in activities to raise awareness and provide support. The emotional toll of unsafe abortions is evident in the stories of survivors like Irene Nakate, highlighting the urgent need for clear legislation and access to safe services. Campaigners and advocates continue to fight for reproductive rights in Uganda, with hopes of preventing more unnecessary deaths due to unsafe abortions.
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