Covid-19 threatens reproductive health
Edith Tasha
Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system. It implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life, the capability to reproduce, and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so. Moreover, it addresses the reproductive processes, functions and system at all stages of life.
The Covid-19 pandemic seems to continue to negative affect the health sector as well as the health of Namibian women and girls. This includes the freedom of family planning.
Family planning is defined as the practice of controlling the number of children someone has and the intervals between births, particularly by means of contraception and voluntary sterilisation.
Critical shortage
Namibia is experiencing a critical shortage of contraceptives. This is reportedly due to the disruption in logistical arrangements because of the pandemic.
This includes tablets, injectables as well as implantation devices imported mainly from South Africa. Contraceptives are provided at clinics, health centres as well as public hospitals countrywide.
According to the Abortion and Sterilisation Act of South Africa (1975), which Namibia adopted at independence in March 1990, abortion is regarded as a criminal offence.
It is only allowed in Namibia when the pregnancy endangers the woman’s life or constitutes a serious threat to her physical health or a risk of permanent damage to her mental health; when there exists a serious risk of a physical or mental defect in the child so as to be irreparably seriously handicapped; as a consequence of rape or incest; or when the fetus has been conceived in consequence of illegitimate carnal intercourse and the woman is, owing to a permanent mental handicap or defect, unable to comprehend the implications of or bear the parental responsibility for the “fruit of coitus”.
Illegal abortions
In addition to the disheartening shortage of contraceptives, there has been an increase in the number of illegal/unsafe abortions. Statistics from the health ministry in 2016 show the number of unsafe abortions was about 7 300, and could be 10 000, a year.
It is reported that about 27 women show up daily at health facilities seeking treatment due to complications of illegal abortions. Furthermore, about 2 000 girls drop out of school every year due to teenage pregnancy.
We do understand the question of morality and the biblical perspective on legalising abortions. However, it is quite obvious that counselling on safe sex is not working, and whether abortion is illegal or not, it is still taking place in the society.
National health issue
Many girls and women are risking their lives performing unsafe and illegal abortions and this is a national health issue. Several babies have been dumped and abandoned by their mothers for several reasons. It is disappointing that the gender ministry has rejected rights to legal and safe abortions in a country that has a shortage of contraceptives.
We appreciate the fact that the majority of Namibians are Christians, but unfortunately, the churches seem to want us to live under the veil of ignorance when we have a serious problem.
The world has changed; old laws should be amended too.
Morality and the right of an embryo or fetus to possibly reach full term should not outweigh the right of a woman to have full autonomy over her body and be in charge of her reproductive health.
Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system. It implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life, the capability to reproduce, and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so. Moreover, it addresses the reproductive processes, functions and system at all stages of life.
The Covid-19 pandemic seems to continue to negative affect the health sector as well as the health of Namibian women and girls. This includes the freedom of family planning.
Family planning is defined as the practice of controlling the number of children someone has and the intervals between births, particularly by means of contraception and voluntary sterilisation.
Critical shortage
Namibia is experiencing a critical shortage of contraceptives. This is reportedly due to the disruption in logistical arrangements because of the pandemic.
This includes tablets, injectables as well as implantation devices imported mainly from South Africa. Contraceptives are provided at clinics, health centres as well as public hospitals countrywide.
According to the Abortion and Sterilisation Act of South Africa (1975), which Namibia adopted at independence in March 1990, abortion is regarded as a criminal offence.
It is only allowed in Namibia when the pregnancy endangers the woman’s life or constitutes a serious threat to her physical health or a risk of permanent damage to her mental health; when there exists a serious risk of a physical or mental defect in the child so as to be irreparably seriously handicapped; as a consequence of rape or incest; or when the fetus has been conceived in consequence of illegitimate carnal intercourse and the woman is, owing to a permanent mental handicap or defect, unable to comprehend the implications of or bear the parental responsibility for the “fruit of coitus”.
Illegal abortions
In addition to the disheartening shortage of contraceptives, there has been an increase in the number of illegal/unsafe abortions. Statistics from the health ministry in 2016 show the number of unsafe abortions was about 7 300, and could be 10 000, a year.
It is reported that about 27 women show up daily at health facilities seeking treatment due to complications of illegal abortions. Furthermore, about 2 000 girls drop out of school every year due to teenage pregnancy.
We do understand the question of morality and the biblical perspective on legalising abortions. However, it is quite obvious that counselling on safe sex is not working, and whether abortion is illegal or not, it is still taking place in the society.
National health issue
Many girls and women are risking their lives performing unsafe and illegal abortions and this is a national health issue. Several babies have been dumped and abandoned by their mothers for several reasons. It is disappointing that the gender ministry has rejected rights to legal and safe abortions in a country that has a shortage of contraceptives.
We appreciate the fact that the majority of Namibians are Christians, but unfortunately, the churches seem to want us to live under the veil of ignorance when we have a serious problem.
The world has changed; old laws should be amended too.
Morality and the right of an embryo or fetus to possibly reach full term should not outweigh the right of a woman to have full autonomy over her body and be in charge of her reproductive health.
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