Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Abortion: Is it a womans right?

By Meluse Kapatamoyo


Last week the Zambian government suspended Marie Stopes International -Zambia from carrying out abortions in Zambia after investigations revealed that the organisation had carried out numerous abortions without following the right procedure and Law.

Religious groups say do not kill and that life begins at conception while others say for Medical Reasons an abortion may be approved by qualified medical personnel and this is within the laws of Zambia. The modernists say it should be left to the woman to decide whether to abort or not.

What do you say?

10 comments:

Chris Kakunta said...

Human rights...a difficult issue globally. Is the unborn child have rights? Should we respect the church and the law of the land on personal issues? What about illegal abortion clinics and other factors that affect women in pregnacy, how are we going to deal with that? Does the region i.e. SADC, AU in general support abortions? what about our neigbours like Zimbabwe or South Africa is abortion legalised? Can I go there and abort? In a global village, this issue must be looked at critically rather just making a quick decision or else people will abort privately anyway.

Adam Muftawu said...

This is a difficult issue to deal with considering the diverse opinions of the Religious bodies,opinion leaders globally.
Another question on our minds will be whether abortion is legal.If legal then the act of abortion should not be the sole decision of the woman but a collective one from both parties and careful consultation from a medical officer.
Abortion could be risky and health wise very harmful to the woman but I believe abortion in its sense is not a laudable idea.

Unknown said...

I totally disagree with the statement that it should be left to women to decide whether to abort or not. Why,Life is from God and is the one that gives it not a woman.A woman is just a Vessel used by God to bring life to Earth.The question is why do people pray to God asking for a baby and not to a woman.God is also the one who determines the sex of the baby.so if God is the determining factor Then what does God say on abortion.In his infinity wisdom will not allow abortion and for sure life begins at conception and whne you terminate it you are equal to people that killed Ruth Mbandu(may her soul rest in peace)
These women when given an opportunity to determine whether to abort or not uuuu.it will be lekaleka.will serious work up in the morning to find a fetus in the bin or verandah.If women can through daipher any how what more with the unwanted pregnancy.Kuzankala Gabbage yovuta manje.We have enough gabbage and you want to add gabbage human beings.i rest my case.

Unknown said...

Proponents of pro-life urge that life from its inception must be respected and given chance to mature to a fully grown human being. On the other hand abortion activists have their own version of looking at the the benefits of abortion. Regardless of which side one belongs to, leaving it to women to abort at will even on flimsy grounds certainly that aspect needs a serious re-look. It will be acceptable in a situation where the life of a woman and her baby is threatened. Of course rules and regulations governing the process of abortion must strictly be adhered to. Its time society become actively involved and see to it that the life of the unborn child is protected and respected. Back yard clinics must be checked as well to restore sanity.

Paul Shalala said...

Even a foetus is a human being, no one should terminate its life arbitrally. I support a woman aborting when her life is in danger, not just choosing to abort when she feels like. Life is sacred

Meluse Kapatamoyo said...

Field, here is Sally Chiwama's view : "A womans body is her own and she has a right a decision over her own body. Why should a woman die from something that can be prevented. Also people should know that 30% of the bed space taken at the gynae ward are abortion related. Abortion is also a major contributor to maternal mortality in Zambia."

Matongo Maumbi said...

Field I like your line of thought. So true to the bone. The only problem is that when women are faced with such issues, they forget about their Creator...actually they blame it on Him, and he is the least One they would consider to seek solace. Religiously IT IS WRONG to even consider such an action...but the reality is that THEY HAVE A PREGNANCY that THEY DO NOT WANT...when it is legalised, it offer an avenue to have it safe, and a chance to counsel such women/girls and maybe, just maybe, many of them can change their mind and keep the baby. If we just demonise it, they will do illegally because they will feel their god and society are against them.
I agree, it should not be left to a woman whosoever decides to terminate, but on proven endangerment to such a lady...legally and safely.

Unknown said...

A WOMAN'S BODY IS NOT HER OWN,IT THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,HEY GOD DWELLS IN THAT BODY.LIFE AND DEATH IS IN THE HANDS OF GOD AND IF GOD IN HIS INFINITE WISDOM DECIDES TO TAKE AWAY LIFE NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO,EVEN IF YOU GET THE MOST EDUCATED AND TRUSTED DOCTOR,IT WILL BE SO.
wHY NOT TRY GOD THE ONE WHO MADE THE WOMAN WITH WOMB.IF A MAKING A DECISION OVER HER BODY AS WOMAN IS RIGHT WHY IN THE FIRST PLACE GET PREGNANT.EVEN THE SAME LIFE YOU WANT TO TERMINATE HAS RIGHT TO LIFE.A WOMAN IS ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD FOR ALL THINGS DONE IN LIFE.WHETHER GOOD OR BAD.

Unknown said...

THANK YOU MR MAUMBI,I TOTALLY AGREE ON THE ISSUE OF NOT DEMONISING THEM.SOCIETY IS THE ONE THAT HAS MADE THESE GIRLS TO ABORT AS THEY DEMONISE THEM.THEY SURELY WILL CHANGE IF GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY THROUGH COUNCELLING.
I THINK THE OTHER THING IS THAT THEY HAVE JUST BEEN GIVEN ONLY ONE ALTERNATIVE TO GET WHEN PREGNANT,ABORT.
lET THEM TRY CHRIST AND THEN ALL THINGS WILL WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD

Hastings Shantanga said...

I don't women should be given a blank cheque when it comes to abortion, if anything most these women who fond of showing off there legs in streets hate the responsibility that comes with motherhood. When you look at the Ministry of health policy regarding abortion, it is practically impossible to abort...the right is not with the mother but specialist doctors. Iam of the view that the unborn children must be protected at all cost unless the mothers health is i immediate danger.If one had to do a research you would certainly discover that abortion is common in career women and prostitutes probably because of their nature of what they do compared to the responsibility of looking after the still born.