Unsafe Abortion and Development: A Strategic Approach

Abstract

Since the link between abortion and development has only been weakly established, advocacy for expanded access to safe abortion services is rarely integrated into the strategy, rhetoric and messages of organisations focused on women's rights, poverty, democracy, human rights, health, education and good governance in many developing countries, including Nigeria. This situation calls for a deeper 47

Unplanned pregnancy-risks and use of emergency contraception: a survey of two Nigerian Universities

“…Unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortion are among the reproductive health challenges women face in Sub-Saharan Africa [ 3 , 6 – 9 ]. Despite the numerous intervention programmes to create awareness and encourage women in Sub-Saharan Africa to make use of contraceptives, the level of use of both traditional and modern methods remains low (29%) [ 10 ] compared to countries like Norway, United Kingdom and Malta, which have the highest rates (above 80%) of contraceptive usage [ 10 ].…”

Systematic review of obstetric care from a women‐centered perspective in Nigeria since 2000

“…The legalization of abortion is generally believed to play a major role in reducing maternal deaths resulting from unsafe abortions and improving access to, and the availability of, manual vacuum extraction could be considered to be an important complementary strategy . However, advocacy experience in Nigeria, such as that of the Campaign Against Unwanted Pregnancy has demonstrated that a multi‐sectorial approach, and not only legal reforms allowing clinicians to legally provide high‐quality safe abortion services, are crucial in addressing the issue of unsafe abortion related maternal mortality . The continuing challenge in Nigeria could be to tackle the underlying causes for women seeking (safe or unsafe) induced abortions (e.g.…”

“…The continuing challenge in Nigeria could be to tackle the underlying causes for women seeking (safe or unsafe) induced abortions (e.g. poverty and gender inequality) using a multi‐sectoral approach …”

“…poverty and gender inequality) using a multi-sectoral approach. 39 With previous studies having suggested that women attended spiritual churches for delivery owing to spiritual and financial reasons, such practices certainly need to be addressed, particularly in southern Nigeria where this appears to be widespread (Data S1). Regulating the profession of midwifery and enforcing regulation could be an important step toward ensuring skilled birth attendance for all women.…”

“…38 However, advocacy experience in Nigeria, such as that of the Campaign Against Unwanted Pregnancy has demonstrated that a multi-sectorial approach, and not only legal reforms allowing clinicians to legally provide high-quality safe abortion services, are crucial in addressing the issue of unsafe abortion related maternal mortality. 39,40 The continuing challenge in Nigeria could be to tackle the underlying causes for women seeking (safe or unsafe) induced abortions (e.g. poverty and gender inequality) using a multi-sectoral approach.…”