Moses Odongo, a public health advocate in Uganda, received a devastating call informing him of his 14-year-old cousin Christine’s death while attempting to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. This tragic event prompted him to speak out against Uganda’s restrictive abortion laws and conservative culture, which he believes contributed to her death. Abortion is highly restricted in Uganda, with unclear laws and conflicting guidelines from the Ministry of Health, leading to confusion and fear of imprisonment among both women seeking abortion and doctors providing it.
Despite the government’s contradiction in providing post-abortion care while restricting abortion, unsafe procedures continue to endanger women’s lives. Advocates like Odongo and organizations such as the Uganda Network of Sex Worker-led Organizations are working to raise awareness about the dangers of unsafe abortion, especially among vulnerable communities like sex workers.
International Safe Abortion Day holds particular significance in Uganda, where a lack of clear laws and access to safe abortion services has led to numerous deaths. The day serves as an opportunity for activists to educate and advocate for reproductive rights and access to safe abortion services. Despite facing opposition from religious leaders and government officials like Janet Museveni and Valerie Huber, activists remain committed to challenging restrictive policies and providing support to women in need.
As the fight for safe abortion continues in Uganda, activists like Odongo, Irene Nakate, and Stellah Nassuna emphasize the importance of empowering women to make decisions about their bodies and ensuring access to safe abortion services to prevent unnecessary deaths. International Safe Abortion Day serves as a platform to bring attention to the challenges faced by women and girls in Uganda and advocate for their rights to reproductive healthcare.
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