Kenyan Women and Unsafe Abortions
On November 20, 2016, Aljazeera published an article about the suffering that Kenyan women face due to unsafe abortions. The country's current constitution, which was passed in 2010, is vague about whether abortions are legal. Abortion was made illegal in the first constitution, and women could be prosecuted. Many women who have abortions are likely to be charged or ridiculed by society. Women are unable to obtain abortions by secure medical procedures. According to the paper, abortion is still the leading cause of maternal death in Kenya (Fisher n.p).
The Debate on Abortion in America
When it comes to abortion, Americans have differing viewpoints. The pro-life have failed to give solid reasons why other people have discretion on a woman's body rather than herself. The important question Americans should be asking themselves is: Why do women in countries that outlaw abortion such as Kenya rather face death or imprisonment than keep their babies? Pregnancy is associated with propagation of the human race and brings joy in most families. However, there are situations where they bring pain and limit the woman from achieving her dreams. By examining the reasons why women are willing to forego freedom and even life by undergoing the procedure, one can understand why abortion should not only be legal but also a medical procedure that is well funded as other health needs.
The Burden of Pregnancy and Gender Equality
The fact that the woman has to bear the burden of pregnancy alone tends to compromise all the steps that Americans have made towards achieving gender equality. A pregnancy should be carried to term if the bearer or the couple have the resources to accommodate the changes that come with it. Abortion is the only way out for most women who feel that the pregnancy will limit their personal growth. Making the procedure in achievable or unsafe widens the gap between genders.
Works Cited
Fisher, Amanda. Dangerously cheap: Kenya’s illegal abortions. An upcoming battle in Kenyan courts could determine future access to safe, legal abortions for women there. Aljazeera, 20 November, 2016. Web: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2016/10/dangerously-cheap-kenya-illegal-abortions-161027075859609.html. March 14, 2017.