Abortion in Zimbabwe; A Necessary Evil or Moral Dilemma?

By Regina Pasipanodya

Harare, Zimbabwe. Melody Jacob*** is still reeling from the loss of her younger sister Mona who in a bid to end her pregnancy in 2021 turned to crude and dangerous methods. She used a cooking stick in a botched abortion resulting in her demise due to severe loss of blood and cervical infection.

This devastating testament is a case of how societal stigmatisation has been pushed to the brink as they are found in a situation where their morals are questioned.

After Mona’s marriage ended, she was forced to move out of her matrimonial home and started leading a life as a single mother. However, she fell victim to double dating and fell pregnant.

Fearing the judgement of her family and society she made a desperate decision and ended the pregnancy secretly.

However, her attempt to abort the pregnancy alone resulted in severe blood loss and infection leading to her demise at a local hospital in Harare.

Mona was one of the victims in Zimbabwe who due to the pressure of societal stigmatisation and stringent laws died of illegal abortion.

*A law unto itself*

In Zimbabwe, termination of pregnancy is governed by the Termination of Pregnancy Act (Chapter 15:10) a statute that was enacted in 1977 which provides that safe abortion can be granted in situations where the pregnancy puts the life of the mother at risk, on a rape case or when the unborn child’s health is also a risk.

However, this law has been a contributing factor in women making a desperate decision in DIY abortions leading to maternal death and morbidities as lack of access to safe, timely, affordable and respectful abortion care is a critical public health and human right as provided by Section 76 (1) of the Zimbabwe Constitution.

According to the World Health Organisation, 45 percent of all abortions are unsafe, of which 97 percent take place in developing countries.

Unfortunately, Zimbabwe is ranked as one of the countries with high unsafe abortions with the highest maternal mortality ratios at 363 per every 100000 live births.

A 2020 report by the Guttmacher Institute revealed that nearly all abortions in Zimbabwe are clandestine as about 40 percent of abortions in the country result in complications, but only half receive treatment for these complications.

The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency 2019 report states that about 70000 abortions in the country are performed every year with many others going unreported.

However, despite all these devastations, Zimbabwean laws have remained stagnant at the expense of the well-being of the society especially women and young girls who struggle to access Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR).

A woman’s rights denied.

During a Capacity Strengthening Workshop for Members of Parliament with Amnesty International Zimbabwe in partnership with Women and Law in Southern Africa and Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe, Roselina Muzerengi said the lack of maternal healthcare in Zimbabwe is a lived reality that revealed how deep-rooted the nature of the problem is and how it is shrouded in wrong beliefs shame and invisibility.

She highlighted how increased obstetric fistula cases in Zimbabwe have been one of the markers of how the healthcare sector has been failing women.

“Just like how unsafe pregnancies are now prone, OB which develops after prolonged or obstructed labour due to lack of accessible, timely and appropriate maternal health-care services in the country,” said Muzerengi.

However, high maternal death and morbidities due to unsafe pregnancies in Zimbabwe have been a case of a mixed bag as the health sector continues to shrink and exacerbate societal stigma towards pregnancy out of marriage.

In an exclusive interview with Jacob (Mona’s sister), she said that if the parents, family and society at large were not that judgemental her sister could have not taken such a desperate decision.

“My last conversation with her before her demise made me realise that the culprit in all this abortion mess is the men and the family, who despite being part of that situation segregate the desperate pregnant mother to a position where she feels alone, with no pillar to fall on. My sister was found in a dilemma where she did not have the strength to face and be answerable to the family and society. Her only option was to end the pregnancy which is not even allowed by law,” said Jacob.

At the crossroads.

Commissioner of the Lancet Global Health Commission, Dr. Ruth Labode highlighted how data has been showing an increase in the number of both women and girls seeking Post Abortal services in Public Hospitals.

“Zimbabwe has been facing increased teenage pregnancies, unwanted pregnancies among women due to lack of access to contraceptives with section 25 of the Public Health Act still prohibiting adolescents from accessing SRHR services without Parental consent,” said Dr. Labode.

She advised that the Parliamentarians are ready to push the motion towards safe abortions.

But the question remains if Zimbabwe is ready to accept safe abortions vis a vis societal beliefs and principles.

Just like many other African countries, Zimbabwe has always had complex views on abortion influenced by religious, traditional and cultural beliefs.

In Zimbabwe, abortion is often stigmatised and viewed as immoral and judgement.

However, Dr Labode urged all stakeholders to come together and advocate for the rights of women and safe abortions in the country.

However, despite the efforts by Parliamentarians to push a motion towards safe abortions in Zimbabwe as provided by law, local Pastor whose name is withheld for ethical reasons said abortion whether safe or unsafe should be considered as murder.

“In spite of lamenting for access to health for post-abortion medical care, those involved in abortion should be arrested should be arrested.

“Even the bible itself does not condone abortion and the 10 commandments condemns murder as a sin,” he said.

However, others view safe abortion as a process which needs time of make people understand especially the parents and leaders in a community.