A YOUNG Namibian woman has called on Namibians to support a petition to legalise abortion in the country.
Abortion in Namibia is only allowed under the Abortion and Sterilisation Act of South Africa (1975), which Namibia inherited at the time of independence from South Africa in 1990.
The Act only provides for legal abortion under circumstances such as rape and health risks.
Beauty Boois launched the petition yesterday stating that the right to access legal abortion in Namibia should be accompanied by education relating to sexual health and reproductive rights to prevent unwanted pregnancies, baby dumping and encourage safe, legal abortions.
Boois further urged the government to ensure that women and young girls in Namibia are aware of their right to sexual and reproductive health, control of their health, lives and bodies, and to achieve gender equality.
The petition also called for counselling and support structures to provide women, who are considering or have undergone abortion with the necessary guidance and support for making well-informed decisions.
Deputy health minister Ester Muinjangue told that abortion is a psychosocial issue that needs attention, adding that one needs to look at the advantages and disadvantages of abortion to make an informed decision.
She added that even if it is legalised, there needs to be a discussion around the matter on how it will effect women. She said this is a topic she will bring up in parliament.
President Hage Geingob last year acknowledged that government will have to legalise abortion to prevent needless deaths due to backstreet abortions.
“We cannot deny it, it is happening. But it’s better to control it so that people can [access reproductive health services] legally, to be supervised and advised,” President Geingob added.
