Abortion in Zambia
Abortion has been legal in Zambia since 1972. The official Government policy on abortion in Zambia is as follows:
Grounds on which abortion is permitted:
Yes - To save the life of the woman
Yes - To preserve physical health
Yes - To preserve mental health
No - Rape or incest
Yes - Fetal impairment
Yes - Economic or social reasons
No - Available on request
Additional requirements: An abortion requires the consent of three physicians, one of whom must be a specialist in the branch of medicine related to the woman’s reason for seeking an abortion. However, the requirement may be waived if the abortion is immediately necessary to save the life or prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the woman. A legal abortion must be performed by a registered physician in a government hospital or other approved institution unless the patient’s life is in danger.
While abortion is legal, physicians are still reluctant to schedule appointments , and junior physicians are often the ones who perform the abortions in the operating room. Some private physicians insert an IUD to induce abortion and tell the women to go to the gynecology ward at the hospital when bleeding begins. Other private doctors insert a plastic cannula and tell the women to go to the hospital ward. Most women go to traditional healers or midwives who insert roots soaked in water into the cervix which act as an irritant/dilator. Traditional healers also provide herbs claimed to be abortifacients which are taken in tea or eaten. Other women attempt to induce abortion themselves by inserting plants or twigs into the cervix. Desperate and often the youngest women drink gasoline or detergents or take large overdoses of chloroquine, aspirin, or other toxic substances. Many women die as a result of poorly performed abortions.
Our Centre in Kitwe, Zambia is thriving under the leadership of Barbra Mwansa. She and her husband have also started an orphanage, a maternity home, and a boy's ranch. You can learn all about what they do at their website: http://www.afla.in/
News from Zambia - February 2015
“My name is Tamara. My mom was married to a Nigerian who came to work in Zambia as a teacher. She died when I was 6 years old. Dad decided to go back to Nigeria but my grandmother refused him to take me. I stayed with my grandmother until when I was 9 years my uncle came to pick me so that I could start going to school since my grandmother had no means to support me. In the City where I went, my uncle was married and at one time my aunt travelled to visit to some place for a period of time. But to my surprise, while I was sleeping, I saw my uncle enter my room. He told me not to shout while holding a knife and a rope. He then tied me and started having sex with me. He did this every night before my aunt could come back. I started feeling weak, sick and sometimes I could fell down. I later found out that I was pregnant. When my aunt came back, I could not hesitate to tell her even though it was scarily. She was angry but could not report the case to the Police but asked me to report for fear that the husband would harm her. My uncle was caught and has remained in custody.
The government withdrew me and took me to Silent Voices Maternity home being operated by Sara rose Children foundation. My blood level was only 4 mills, I had no strength. In the maternity home, I have been taken good care off and I have delivered a baby boy. I have named the baby Michael resembling to the Arc angel that fought the powers of darkness. My baby is two weeks old. Aim happy to see this baby besides the pain and the suffering. I thank the government and the Sara Rose foundation for their love and support.”
Grounds on which abortion is permitted:
Yes - To save the life of the woman
Yes - To preserve physical health
Yes - To preserve mental health
No - Rape or incest
Yes - Fetal impairment
Yes - Economic or social reasons
No - Available on request
Additional requirements: An abortion requires the consent of three physicians, one of whom must be a specialist in the branch of medicine related to the woman’s reason for seeking an abortion. However, the requirement may be waived if the abortion is immediately necessary to save the life or prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the woman. A legal abortion must be performed by a registered physician in a government hospital or other approved institution unless the patient’s life is in danger.
While abortion is legal, physicians are still reluctant to schedule appointments , and junior physicians are often the ones who perform the abortions in the operating room. Some private physicians insert an IUD to induce abortion and tell the women to go to the gynecology ward at the hospital when bleeding begins. Other private doctors insert a plastic cannula and tell the women to go to the hospital ward. Most women go to traditional healers or midwives who insert roots soaked in water into the cervix which act as an irritant/dilator. Traditional healers also provide herbs claimed to be abortifacients which are taken in tea or eaten. Other women attempt to induce abortion themselves by inserting plants or twigs into the cervix. Desperate and often the youngest women drink gasoline or detergents or take large overdoses of chloroquine, aspirin, or other toxic substances. Many women die as a result of poorly performed abortions.
Our Centre in Kitwe, Zambia is thriving under the leadership of Barbra Mwansa. She and her husband have also started an orphanage, a maternity home, and a boy's ranch. You can learn all about what they do at their website: http://www.afla.in/
News from Zambia - February 2015
“My name is Tamara. My mom was married to a Nigerian who came to work in Zambia as a teacher. She died when I was 6 years old. Dad decided to go back to Nigeria but my grandmother refused him to take me. I stayed with my grandmother until when I was 9 years my uncle came to pick me so that I could start going to school since my grandmother had no means to support me. In the City where I went, my uncle was married and at one time my aunt travelled to visit to some place for a period of time. But to my surprise, while I was sleeping, I saw my uncle enter my room. He told me not to shout while holding a knife and a rope. He then tied me and started having sex with me. He did this every night before my aunt could come back. I started feeling weak, sick and sometimes I could fell down. I later found out that I was pregnant. When my aunt came back, I could not hesitate to tell her even though it was scarily. She was angry but could not report the case to the Police but asked me to report for fear that the husband would harm her. My uncle was caught and has remained in custody.
The government withdrew me and took me to Silent Voices Maternity home being operated by Sara rose Children foundation. My blood level was only 4 mills, I had no strength. In the maternity home, I have been taken good care off and I have delivered a baby boy. I have named the baby Michael resembling to the Arc angel that fought the powers of darkness. My baby is two weeks old. Aim happy to see this baby besides the pain and the suffering. I thank the government and the Sara Rose foundation for their love and support.”
- PMID: 2219228 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE], “Observations on abortion in Zambia.”