Breaking the silence surrounding high maternal mortality from unsafe abortions. 

 

The World Health Organization estimates that around the world nearly 68,000 women die every year from complications of unsafe abortion. This translates to approximately 190 deaths per day; about the equivalent of a fatal jumbo jet crash with nearly 400 people on board every two days year round. How does death on such a massive daily scale not raise a global outcry? 

Here is a story I would like to share with you.

I was born 18 years ago. I couldn’t go beyond primary school since my parents died. I’m living with my grandmother. I got pregnant by accident. I was just earning my bread from sex. I decided on my own to abort. A traditional healer gave me some local herbs to drink but it was unsuccessful. I decided to go to hospital and talk to a doctor whom I believed was sympathetic and he carried out the abortion. I couldn’t change my mind since if I was to proceed with that pregnancy where I could get money to feed myself and take care of that child?
 

I went to school but couldn’t continue after I got pregnant. I fell in love with a soldier who impregnated me. I was 14 years old. I used to play sex with that soldier without protection. I didn’t like it and I decided to
have an abortion.Once my sister’s husband raped me. I felt so bad mentally and physically because this was a man I respected.I told him and he advised me to get an abortion. I knew I could not continue with this pregnancy. 

First, I didn’t want my sister to know that her husband had made me pregnant. Secondly, I would like to continue with my studies. I couldn’t explain to my parents. I couldn’t ever stand the shame and blame. I have moved out of my sister’s house to avoid further torture.

I am living with HIV. What I fear is that we might get a child who is HIV positive and I would die tomorrow and leave this child with all that difficulty. I don’t have a father, I don’t have any other person who would look after a child especially one with this kind of status. So I was not really comfortable having another child.
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A true story  told,..