Safe abortion in Tanzania: A call for change

SAFE abortion is not commonly accepted in Tanzanian society, where many cultural norms oppose it. However, have you ever considered the plight of women who become pregnant due to rape? Do they want to carry those pregnancies to term?

Across our communities, various scenarios underscore the urgent need for laws that allow victims, or any woman unable to carry a pregnancy to term, to access safe abortion services without facing judgment or misunderstanding.

Tragically, many deaths in our communities stem from unsafe abortions, often performed by women who are denied access to proper healthcare facilities.

Raymond Nondo, Regional Coordinator for the Women Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR), emphasised that all women seeking safe abortions have the right to reduce the number of deaths caused by unsafe procedures.

“We need accurate information about safe abortion to implement it in our communities, removing obstacles and minimising the challenges women face,” said Mr Nondo.

Every year on September 28, the world commemorates the International Safe Abortion Day (ISAD). In Tanzania, this year’s theme was “Collective Voices for Change: Advancing Safe and Legal Abortion and Reproductive Justice.”

Mr Nondo highlighted that unsafe abortion is preventable and can be effectively reduced through collective advocacy, particularly by engaging the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs.

He stressed the importance of community awareness regarding the availability of safe abortion services in healthcare facilities.

The Maputo Protocol, adopted by the African Union in 2003, is a pivotal treaty that recognises equal rights for women and explicitly acknowledges abortion as a human right under certain circumstances, including sexual assault, rape, incest, life-threatening conditions and when a continued pregnancy endangers a woman’s mental or physical health.

Globally, unsafe abortions account for approximately one in seven maternal deaths. This issue is particularly acute in Africa, which has the highest rates of maternal mortality in the world. Annually, at least six million women in Africa resort to unsafe methods to end their pregnancies.

Sitti Shio, Advocacy Specialist from Pathfinder International, advocated for the inclusion of safe and legal abortion education in school curricula alongside HIV/AIDS and reproductive health.

“Everyone deserves access to information about safe abortion, especially adolescents who are vulnerable to unintended pregnancies,” Ms Shio stated, emphasising the need to dismantle stigma in our communities.

Due to the legal barriers, many women attempt to terminate their pregnancies on their own or seek help from untrained practitioners. Common methods include the use of herbs, high doses of anti-malarial drugs, washing detergent, ash, cassava stems, or contraceptive pills.

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Such practices often lead to severe complications, including severe bleeding, infections and even death.

Lilian Kisamo, a nurse at Mjimwema Dispensary, noted that safe abortion services are technically available but only permitted when a mother’s life is at risk.

“We assist women in life-threatening situations or those who have undergone unsafe abortions, but we cannot provide services to those who wish to terminate their pregnancies,” she explained.

This limitation is particularly challenging for women who are pregnant due to rape or incest, where carrying the pregnancy to term can be a source of immense pain.

Under Tanzanian law, performing an abortion carries severe penalties, which includes 14 years for the provider, 7 years for an assistant and 3 years for the woman seeking the abortion. Additionally, healthcare providers risk losing their licenses.

Advocate Ziada Mkwazu highlighted the necessity for coalitions to promote the right to safe abortion for women in various circumstances.

“Law reforms are crucial, along with clear guidelines for healthcare providers to safely perform abortions for those in need, in order to reduce deaths from unsafe procedures in our communities,” she stated.

Youth engagement is also vital, as many young people face unwanted pregnancies and resort to unsafe abortions. Lilian Luguga emphasised that adolescents need accurate information about reproductive health, including safe and unsafe abortion methods.

“We need open platforms to discuss these issues and seek professional guidance, fostering a health care environment that is friendly and accessible to youth,” she said.