The abortion and sterilization act asa of 1975 broadened the scope of legal abortion. Brief description of characteristics of respondents 42 c. Laws may allow abortion, but its much harder to change attitudes. South africa is a strongly calvinistic country, with other religions such as roman catholicism and islam having a substantial affiliation. In 1996, the south african choice on termination of pregnancy ctop. Evaluation of the termination of pregnancy services in south africa jacqueline faria mendes school of public health university of the witwatersrand, johannesburg a research report submitted to the faculty of health sciences, university of the witwatersrand, johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements. Abortion in south africa was legal only under very limited circumstances until 1 february 1997, when the choice on termination of pregnancy act act 92 of 1996 came into force, providing abortion on demand for a variety of cases. The following is a devotional taken from my upcoming 30day devotional book. The abortion agenda in africa by ekeocha, ms obianuju. First it was permitted as a mere solution to women suffering or dying as a result of illegal abortions, then during the rise of second wave feminism, its.
However, many of the crossborder clients unwittingly access abortions from illegal and unsafe abortion providers. Pdf in south africa, abortion was legalized in 1996, during the nations transition from apartheid to independence and democracy, under the choice on. Indigenous peoples in south africa iwgia international. When deliberate steps are taken to end a pregnancy, it is called an induced abortion, or less frequently induced miscarriage. There are a number of governmental efforts including the national department of educations attempt at improving knowledge. On monday, 2 february, africa christian action will be holding a prayer vigil outside the gates of parliament at the corner of roeland and plein streets from. Levels and determinants of voluntary abortion in south africa a research report submitted to the school of social science, university of the witwatersrand, johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of arts in the field of demography and population studies for the year 2015 ndivhuwo p rambau 450208 02112015. While the legalisation of abortion in south africa has reduced mortality.
While wealthy people might be able to access private, legal abortion services like at marie stopes south africa this is seldom an option for the poor. W while abortion may technically be legal in south africa, accessing one can be quite challenging according to leading safe choices, over 40% of designated abortion care sites in 2011 werent actually providing the service. This brieng focuses on south africas human rights commitments, which place clear obligations on the government to safeguard women and girls access to safe abortion care. In 20, researchers from the university of cape town and the university of california, san francisco came together to study access to legal abortion services in south africa. This study aimed to determine the cpr and factors associated with contraceptive use in a rural district of western cape province. Barriers to safe and legal abortion in south africa amnesty. The answer is more complicated than you might think. The world health organization defines unsafe abortions as those performed by unskilled individuals, with hazardous equipment, or in unsanitary facilities. South africa was not alone in recognising reproductive rights, as many constitutions of the third wave of democratisation in africa and south america paid particular attention to womens rights. Although the law is one of the most liberal and progressive in the world, the lived experience of many south africans points to a different reality. Evidence suggests women who are black african, of lower socioeconomic status, living with hiv, or residents of. Four countries in africa have relatively liberal abortion laws. Apr 03, 2017 lowincome south africans are particularly vulnerable to this exploitation. Robert johnston last updated 23 january 2015 reported abortions by province, 199720.
Denial of legal abortion in south africa improve access to safe abortion services in south africa reproductive health research policy brief march 2016. Pdf on jun 20, 2015, elizabeth ann mosley and others published abortion in postapartheid south africa. Conscientious objection, or the right for medical professionals to refuse to perform abortion on religious or moral grounds, is used extensively. South africa reformed the abortion law in order to improve the health of women. Many black south africans oppose abortion for religious reasons or view abortion as yet another vestige of apartheid policy, designed to control the growth of the black and colored population. Abortions, reported includes legal reported induced abortions. Human rights and african abortion laws safe abortion. Northern africa, all of which were unsafe, except for a small number in tunisia. The act allows abortion to save the life of the mother, in cases of severe fetal deformity, in cases or rape or. South africa unsafe abortion the legality of abortion in south africa affords women reproductive autonomy and the right to access safe. South africa is a country that straddles traditional and modern viewpoints. Free stateperformed abortions have increased to 500,000 since 2004.
Manual vacuum aspiration a handheld syringe as a suction source and. Pdf knowledge of the abortion legislation among south african. The church also provided theological justification for the policies of south africa. Download the 2016 yearbook article on indigenous peoples in south africa to learn about major developments and events during 2015. An abortion that occurs without intervention is known as a miscarriage or spontaneous abortion. Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy by removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus before it can survive outside the uterus. In addition, attention is focused on gathering data to better understand the extent of maternal and infant morbidity, adverse behaviors during pregnancy, and longterm consequences of pregnancy. The study aimed to examine how often women were being denied care, reasons for denial of legal. Abortion is legal in south africa but illegal clinics. Abortion in south africa list of abortion services south africa. Statistics south africa publishes annual statistical releases on midyear population estimates for south africa. Claiming and defending abortion rights in south africa. It very well may be relevant, if there was a reference, to state matteroffactly that emergency contraception is legal in south africa, but not in the nonsurgical abortion section.
In 1996, south africa legalized abortion up to 20 weeks with the choice on termination of pregnancy act, which also called for providing free services in certain public health facilities. Fact sheet abortion in africa guttmacher institute. Yet most women do not know where to access safe abortion services, how to obtain information about abortion facilities in south africa or that they are legally entitled to a free abortion in the. Proposed amendments to current abortion legislation. The health risks of abortion depend principally upon whether the procedure is performed safely or unsafely. In countries such as colombia, uruguay and south africa. Factors associated with contraceptive use in a rural area. A woman who in terms of section 21 requests a termination of pregnancy from a medical practitioner or a registered midwife, as the case may be, shall be informed of her rights under this act by the person concerned. Abortion decriminalised in nsw after marathon debate new. South africa has one of the most progressive and liberal abortion laws in the world, yet women still face major barriers in accessing these services.
The abortion pill mifepristone is different from emergency contraception, which is simply a higher dose of the chemicals found in regular oral contraception. Dec 01, 2003 south africa is a strongly calvinistic country, with other religions such as roman catholicism and islam having a substantial affiliation. Its been a little over 20 years since the choice on termination of pregnancy act was passed in south africa, legalising abortion. Sep 23, 20 many black south africans oppose abortion for religious reasons or view abortion as yet another vestige of apartheid policy, designed to control the growth of the black and colored population.
Laws may allow abortion, but its much harder to change. I decided to try one of these numbers and he called back immediately and i said i want to. Levels and determinants of voluntary abortion in south africa. Abortion attitudes in south africa and the united states deep blue. Numbers and rates regional and subregional estimates of induced abortion, africa, 19901994 and 20102014 difference between 20102014 and 19901994 is statistically significant. This abortion may be performed by a registered nurse or midwife. Abortion is not permitted for any reason in 10 out of 54 african countries. Pdf in order to ensure that legalized abortion in south africa improves reproductive health, women must know that abortion is a legal option in the. An argument for foetal protection within a framework of legal abortion in south africa prof. Some consequences of unwanted pregnancies 35 chapter 3 attitudes of natal medical practitioners towards the new abortion legislation 40 1.
Aug 17, 2017 if the african christian democratic party gets its way, women seeking an abortion in south africa would find it a lot more difficult in future. Abortion in south africa list of abortion services south. The 20 statistical release provided estimates of the number of births for 200220 stats sa, 20. Working from an ethics of justice and an ethics of care, the srjc is a coalition of organisations and individuals engaged in advocacy, research, service delivery, education, policy analysis and activism work in the fields of gender, sexual and reproductive justice, health, rights and care. Robert johnston last updated 14 january 2020 definition of table data see notes after table for additional information. Analysis south africa has been praised for progressive laws relating to womens reproductive health. Until 1997, however, access to termination of pregnancy services was extremely limited and largely confined to white women. A short memorial service and wreath laying ceremony will be held in memory of the babies killed by abortion in south africa since 1997. The culture of illegal abortion in south africa 81 abortion before apartheid prior to the 1970s, south africa had no statutory definition of abortion. Conscientious objection and legal abortion in south africa. Pregnancies in south africa 32 4 psychological factors 35 0. Information on recorded live births is used as an input in the estimation of the population of south africa at midyear. Abortion has been legal in south africa for decades.
Additionally, transportation to cities where abortion is performed can be too expensive for many patients. While the first roman catholic country, france, has legalised abortion in 1974, and while even in italy, under the direct. An exploratory study of what happens to women who are. While the first roman catholic country, france, has legalised abortion in 1974, and while even in italy, under the direct domination of the vatican, there is a demand for a liberal. Medical termination of pregnancy has the potential to increase access to safe abortion services. South africa unsafe abortion the legality of abortion in south africa affords women reproductive autonomy and the right to access safe abortion procedures on demand. To preorder your copy click here the recces, south africas special forces brigade, were an elite counterinsurgency special operations unit that specialised in longrange combat reconnaissance and unconventional airborne operations. Access to sexual and reproductive health care is a constitutional right in south africa9 and part of the universal right to health. As a general rule, an unborn nasciturus does not have legal status. Factors associated with contraceptive use in a rural area in. It analyzes the flourishing clandestine abortion industry, the prosecution of medical and backstreet abortionists, and the passage in 1975 of the countrys first statutory law on abortion. Before 1975 abortion was illegal in south africa unless the life of the mother was at risk.
Mar 19, 2020 the following is a devotional taken from my upcoming 30day devotional book. The proportion of all pregnancies in africa ending in abortion each year, estimated at 15% in 20102014, has changed little since 19901994. However, section 15 of the south african constitution in particular, implicitly accommodates conscientious objection to abortion. Termination of pregnancy abortion and foetal protection remain a challenging topic in south africa where abortion is legalised and largely decriminalised. The first scholarly study of the history of abortion in south africa, or indeed any african country. An argument for foetal protection within a framework of. Act was passed promoting womens reproductive right to early, safe and legal abortion. Remember, you always have the right to choose what is best for you and your body. Mifepristone is an antiprogestin, licensed for pregnancy termination in many countries around the world, including south africa. Introducing medical abortion as another termination of pregnancy option could potentially save womens lives, while reducing the number of unsafe abortions in. Focuses on the centrality of the regulation of womens reproductive bodies to the making and maintenance of apartheid in south africa. Abortion is legal in south africa but illegal clinics are. A case study of the 1996 choice on termination of pregnancy act.
Sep 28, 2017 in south africa a women may terminate her pregnancy for any reason until the 12th week. Laura stampler and megan flemmit 28 september 2017. Abortion law is liberal in the subregions largest country, south africa. Between 1220 weeks, women are only allowed to terminate their pregnancy if it was the result of rape, incest or if her health is at risk. The lowest subregional abortion rate in africa was in southern africa 15 per 1,000, where 58% of procedures were unsafe. Cdcs division of reproductive health drh monitors maternal and infant mortality, the most serious reproductive health complications. In south africa, a woman of any age can get an abortion by simply requesting with no reasons given if she is less than weeks pregnant. What you need to know about getting an abortion in sa.
Nepal, south africa, the united kingdom and the united states. In the last 50 years the idea of legal abortion has crept in and spread throughout the western world. List of best abortion services in south africa, top abortion services in south africa, abortion services near me, best abortion services. The apartheid government influenced the church practices, and it was influenced by the church in its policies. In countries such as colombia, uruguay and south africa, this provided a conceptual framework for differing levels of abortion law reform in parliaments, courts and practice. Abortion under apartheid examines the politics of abortion in south africa during the apartheid era 19481990, when termination of pregnancy was criminalized. Posters for dangerous, illegal abortions are on every street corner in most cities. A short memorial service and wreath laying ceremony will be held in memory of. Pdf, on which annex 1 relies, in addition to updates from amnesty international research and reports. Exploring south african adolescents knowledge of abortion.
Zambia permits abortion for health and socioeconomic reasons, whereas cape verde, south africa and tunisia permit abortion without restriction as to reason, with gestational limits. If the african christian democratic party gets its way, women seeking an abortion in south africa would find it a lot more difficult in future. New south wales parliament has passed a bill decriminalising abortion, overturning a 119yearold law and achieving what advocates say is a massive step forward for women in the state. Levels and determinants of voluntary abortion in south africa a research report submitted to the school of social science, university of the witwatersrand, johannesburg,in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of arts in the field of demography and population studies for the year 2015 ndivhuwo p rambau 450208. Reproductive health research policy brief denial of legal. As a result of this 1996 liberalisation of abortion law, studies have shown that abortion related mortality decreased by 91% in south africa between 1994 and 19982001.
Barriers to safe and legal abortion in south africa. Although the contraceptive prevalence rate cpr in south africa is comparable to rates globally, inequalities in cpr affect poor and rural women. Exploring gender, racial, and economic inequities find, read and cite all the research. Yet, information on where to get a safe, legal abortion is hard to come bythat makes.