By Kelvin Alvin
Nairobi, Kenya: In Kenya, unsafe abortion is among causes of Maternal Mortality. It is estimated that more than 21,000 girls and women are hospitalized annually in Kenya public facilities due to abortion-related complications.
In 2018, the Ministry of Health launched a study that revealed the cost of treating unsafe abortion range from 433 – 533 Million. Sadly, girls and women continue to lose their lives which is preventable. Unsafe abortion is a serious public health problem.
The constitution of Kenya (2010) guarantees all Kenyans the right to the highest attainable standards of health, including reproductive health care services and emergency medical treatment under Article 43 (1) (a) and 43 (2).
Additionally, Article 26(4) gives provisions for termination of pregnancy: in the opinion of a trained medical professional, there is a need for emergency treatment, if the life of the pregnant person is in danger and if permitted by any written law.
Unfortunately, one year on, Kenya is still among countries that have signed the Geneva Consensus Declaration (GCD) which prohibits access to safe abortion and aims to weaken efforts to safeguard women’s rights. The declaration mandates nations to make their own laws in regard to abortion, absent external pressure.
That, by signing the Geneva Consensus Declaration Kenya is undermining the Kenyan Constitution, international and regional frameworks that promote access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. The signing of the Geneva declaration goes against Article 2(5) and (6) of the Constitution that upholds our rights to enjoy international laws and treaties that Kenya is signed onto.
This Declaration was co-sponsored by the USA, Brazil, Uganda, Egypt, Hungary, and Indonesia. This Declaration is still a move to restrict the practice of safe abortion, undermine the rights of girls and women which will predispose them more to unsafe abortions. ‘’This is not What Women Want’’.
During the ICPD 25, President Uhuru promised to eliminate preventable maternal mortality yet Kenya is signing onto the Geneva Consensus Declaration. Does Kenya care about our girls and women? A promise was made to address all forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. What does the signing of the Geneva Consensus Declaration mean to rape survivors?
Kenya being a signatory to the Geneva Consensus Declaration means that girls and women, still;
- Will not access safe abortion services as provided by the Kenyan Constitution.
- Continue dying due to unsafe abortion complications hence increasing maternal mortality and morbidity in Kenya.
- Will no longer access post-abortion care services which will put their lives at more risk.
We continue to demand that; The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Macharia Kamau, withdraw from the U.S – led international accord the Geneva Consensus Declaration(GCD) which undermines the rights of girls and women.
Alvin Mwangi is a Sexual Reproductive health and rights youth Expert, Nairobi, Kenya.
Twitter: @alvinmwangi254
