Written By:Rosalia Opondo , Posted: Mon, Aug 02, 2010
A new study reveals that up to 800 teenage girls procure unsafe abortions daily.
The study titled teenage pregnancy and unsafe abortion, conducted by Kenya Human Rights Commission reveals the extent and gravity of unsafe abortion in which barbaric methods are used.
The study comes just two days to the referendum on the proposed constitution, in which abortion is one of the main contentious issues.
Speaking during the launch KHRC Deputy Executive Director Tom Kagwe said abortion is prevalent in Kenya despite legal constratints or religious teachings.
The rights body has consequently called for increased reproductive health awareness and provisions to help save lives.
The study was conducted between March and April in Korogocho slum, in which 65 girls aged between 14-24 years were interviewed.
92% said they had procured unsafe abortions. The report details horrendous accounts of the pain the girls underwent, the barbaric means and the unsanitary conditions 80% had their cervix perforated by an object to induce premature labour.
15 % used herbs or tea leaves, while 5% used manual vacuum aspiration. The commission says the penal code is partly to blame.
The report recommends provision reproductive health information for the public to help save lives. Kagwe said that 57 percent of the women and girls who procured abortions come from urban areas.
Those who procure abortion spend between sh150 to sh 12,000.
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