Why Local Law Enforcement Authorities Should Explain Safe Abortion Law

By Elias Hakizimana.

The 2018 revised law on abortion requires that abortion be carried out after consultation between a woman and her doctor unlike previously when the final decision over whether a woman could have the procedure depended on the court.

The revised law, however, still provides for specific circumstances under which abortion is legally permissible, for example in cases of rape, forced marriage, incest, or instances where the pregnancy poses health risks to the mother or unborn child.

Local civil society organizations that work on health promotion initiatives have called for a meeting with local law enforcement authorities to learn more about current barriers that accelerate unsafe abortion and stigma.

The call was made by Ihorere Munyarwanda Organization (IMRO) on July 24, 2020 where various Sector executive secretaries from Gasabo district gathered and share ideas on how Stigma and unsafe abortion can be ended.

Jules Mugisha, IMRO Rwanda Project Coordinator explained that stigma and unsafe abortion cannot stay when local law enforcement authorities are engaged.

“We are calling local law enforcement entities to collaborate with us in advocating for the key populations (Female Sex Workers (FSWs)) as they still have stigma and do unsafe abortion due to law barriers,” Mugisha said.

James Serukiza, Civil Status and Notary at Gisozi Sector who represents Executive Secretaries of Sectors in Gasabo district said that they will help the community to understand a lot on Abortion Law because many of the citizens do not know it.

“We will help them to understand what is the abortion law. The reason to establish the law is to prevent unwanted pregnancies. We will help the citizens know the process of doing safe abortion as it was found that they did not know about this concept and when to do that. This was a gap. They could only hear that the parliament voted a law but without knowing the basis,” Serukiza said.

He added that parents will manage to give proper education to their children to avoid unsafe abortion when local authorities are explained well about this law.

theinspirerpublications@gmail.com 

Follow us @theinspirerpubl