Progressive New Abortion Law Shows Mozambique's Commitment to Women's Reproductive Rights

[theHandpuppet]

http://allafrica.com/stories/201410010606.html
Mozambique: Op-Ed - Progressive New Abortion Law Shows Mozambique's Commitment to Women's Reproductive Rights
analysis
By Mercedes Sayagues

There are only a few countries in Africa where abortion is legal. In the next few weeks, Mozambique will become one of them, with President Armando Guebuza expected to sign a new bill into law. It is a major victory for women's reproductive rights in Mozambique, and an important legacy for the president as he prepares to step down next month.

This Sunday was the International Day for Safe Abortion, and for once there was good news to celebrate in Africa.

Without fanfare or controversy, Mozambique's parliament approved in July groundbreaking legislation to legalise abortion and save women from the brutality of clandestine operations. This puts Mozambique among the handful of progressive countries in Africa that guarantee women's right to control their bodies without unwanted pregnancies. The others are Cape Verde, South Africa and Tunisia.

Fourteen African countries totally prohibit abortion and the remainder severely restrict it, only allowing it, for example, when the mother's life is in danger. Uniquely, Zambia allows abortion for economic reasons....

MORE at link posted above.

[Kath1]

1. Glad to see some good news!

A good thing for the women of Mozambique.