Why many Kenyans are opting for unsafe abortions

According to Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organisation that seeks to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights, Kenya recorded 469,690 cases of induced abortion in 2012.

This corresponded to induced abortion ratio of 30 abortions per 100 births in the same year. Abortion remains a highly stigmatised issue in the society. Even though the law permits abortion in some cases, many people still consider it illegal.

This perception has forced victims of unintended pregnancy, especially girls, to resort to dangerous methods of terminating such pregnancies. Such processes have led to related complications including infections due to use of sterilised instruments and worst of all, deaths.