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Illegal abortion in Nigeria

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Fran Salaska

PostPosted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:50 am


Article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7328830.stm

Quote:
Figures show that 10,000 women die every year in Nigeria from unsafe abortions, carried out by untrained people in unsanitary conditions.

That is 27 deaths every day.

According to the US-based Guttmacher Institute, that is one sixth of the total number of women who die worldwide from such procedures.

In Nigeria abortion is illegal unless the life of the woman would be at risk if she were to give birth.

But the Guttmacher Institute estimates that more than 456,000 unsafe abortions are done in Nigeria every year.


Not sure how many are done in the UK or the US, or how the percentages work out, but that's still half a million a year. When it's ILLEGAL. So no, it doesn't stop it, just makes it worse.

Quote:
Some women go to traditional healers to terminate their pregnancies.

Methods include trying to break the amniotic sack inside the womb with a sharp stick. This causes infection and in extreme cases the tissue inside the body can start to die.

"They're pulling out intestines," says gynaecologist Dr Ejike Oji, of Ipas, an international organisation working to secure reproductive rights for women.

Another method is to pump a toxic mixture of fiercely hot Alligator chilli peppers and chemicals like alum into their bodies.

"The women go into toxic shock and die," Dr Oji said.


How do people see that illegal abortion is not the answer?

Quote:
Married women may seek abortions because they already have more children than they can afford.

Two attempts to change the law were stopped by conservative women's groups.

They say a change in the law would promote promiscuity, and weaken the moral fibre of Nigeria.

"Making more abortions available is not the answer," says Saudata Sani, a female member of the House of Representatives for Kaduna state, in northern Nigeria.

"Women need to be educated about their rights over their body and given opportunities to plan their families, but it must be done in a way that protects public morality."


The bold, at least I can agree with. But there's no such thing as 'public morality'. You cannot be promiscuous by yourself, and so promiscuity is a part of some peoples' morality.

Thoughts?
PostPosted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:35 am


Quote:
They say a change in the law would promote promiscuity, and weaken the moral fibre of Nigeria.

What in God's name is moral about letting so many women die for their rights to control their bodies?
I honestly can't see how people can value the life of an unborn, unthinking, and unfeeling developing person that isn't wanted by the very person its feeding off of more than a living, breathing, thinking, feeling woman with thoughts and opinions, family and friends.

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PhaedraMcSpiffy

PostPosted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 5:32 pm


I called someone on the illegal abortions being unsafe/causing more deaths thing a little while ago, and they said that being pro-life, they do not support legal or illegal abortion.

rolleyes

You try and you try, but sometimes they just don't get it.

Quote:
...but it must be done in a way that protects public morality...


1. Morality is private, not public.
2. Morality is subjective.
3. Who are you to decide for others what is or is not "moral"?
4. To some people, any family-planning is immoral!
PostPosted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 7:50 pm


I think most of us are aware that allowing women to get access to safe reproductive health care (not just abortion) is a vital first step in the path to equality for all women everywhere.

This is really sad but go read some of the comments on the Feministe post. I really really recommend reading Comment 47 by Alara Rogers. It's very good and accurate.

LadyInWhite

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Peppermint Schnapps

PostPosted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:46 am


Quote:
"Women need to be educated about their rights over their body and given opportunities to plan their families, but it must be done in a way that protects public morality."


Come again? So it's better for 27 women to die everyday than it is for people to go agaist your "morals"? Hmm, something doesn't seem quite right here...
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Pro-Choice Gaians

 
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