Ugandan activist, Moses Odongo, is grieving the loss of his 14-year-old cousin, Christine, who died attempting to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. He blames Uganda’s restrictive abortion laws and conservative culture for her death. Odongo, who runs a nonprofit providing health education, has seen many similar tragedies in his line of work.
Abortion is highly restricted in Uganda, with confusing laws leading to a lack of access to safe abortion services. Women and doctors face criminal prosecution for seeking or providing abortions. The government spends millions on post-abortion care, but the contradiction in policies puts women at risk.
Activists are marking International Safe Abortion Day on September 28 by raising awareness and providing contraceptives. They face challenges due to stigma and cultural opposition. Unsafe abortions have led to countless deaths and trauma for women like Irene Nakate, a sex worker who survived a dangerous abortion.
First Lady Janet Museveni’s opposition to abortion has heightened concerns about even more restrictive policies. Activists are working to challenge these laws and provide safe abortion services. Odongo and his team are conducting outreach programs to educate vulnerable communities about the dangers of unsafe abortion.
The emotional toll of unsafe abortions is deeply felt by activists like Odongo, who emphasize the preventable nature of these deaths. As they commemorate lives lost to unsafe abortions, they advocate for clear laws and access to safe reproductive health services for all women in Uganda.
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