LEGALISE ABORTION
The legislative framework of Botswana which governs the context in which abortion should be done, has made it difficult for some people to get access to safe termination of pregnancies, forcing them to conduct backstreet abortion or cross border abortion.
In Botswana, abortion is illegal but only allowed in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy under a few conditions including when one has fallen pregnant due to rape or incest, if the pregnancy threatens the mother’s life or if the new-born may have severe abnormalities.
According to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Activist and Journalist, Ruth Kedikilwe, the government should create safe spaces where people can safely terminate pregnancies.
Kedikilwe explains that the government should not dictate what individuals should do with their bodies. She argues that Botswana is not a Christian nation but rather a secular nation and it is imperative that people do not impose their beliefs on others.
Kedikilwe notes that in Botswana, there is a need to demystify the myth behind issues of immorality. She said that public education is a key factor which can help change the perspective of people towards abortion in the modern day and age.
She stated that young learners need to have a curriculum on introduction into sexual education which can be an age appropriate subject tailor-made to help educate young people on where to go if they need help.
A report prepared by BONELA on the Access to Safe Abortion Policy Brief presented to the Parliamentary Committee on Gender, states that abortion remains a human right and sustainable development challenge for all Batswana.
The report further states that the legislative and policy framework needs urgent review, particularly to prevent maternal mortality and other post-abortion complications.
The report given by the Commission of Enquiry Into The Review Of The Constitution of Botswana indicated that cases of unwanted pregnancies have grown at an alarming rate and women often cross borders to terminate pregnancies or resort to illegal means of termination, which often leads to death.
The report stated that the commission recommends that termination of pregnancies be legalised.