Gender Forum: “Unsafe Abortion: Is Kenya ready to take a stand?”

Abortion in Kenya is reported to be on the rise. Recent statistics by the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) and the Ministry of Health, show that unsafe abortion remains unabated in society despite being outlawed by the Constitution. The national study undertaken in 2012 assessed the number of induced abortions at nearly 465,000 annually. The abortion discussion is rife in the public sphere in the recent past. Diverse sectors have been looking at this phenomenon from different lenses – legal, health, human rights, economic and religion.

The gender forum purposes to bring together these different viewpoints to explore common understanding and concerted solutions to bring the harrowing statistics down. How is Kenya’s legal and policy environment responding to rising unsafe abortions?

Join this dialogue with medical practitioners, policy makers, human rights advocates, religious community and the public seeking to examine:

•          What is the magnitude of unsafe abortion in Kenya and what contributes to this?
•          What policy/legal framework guides Kenya with respect to women’s reproductive health rights?
•          How is the policy and legal environment in Kenya responding to the realities of unsafe abortion?
•          Is Kenya ready to take a stand to reduce the harrowing statistics?
•          What are the direct and indirect cost implications of abortion complications to the economy?

The discussion will also take place on Twitter: @HbsNairobi #genderforum #unsafeabortions

About the Gender Forum

The Gender Forum is a monthly public dialogue convened by the Heinrich Böll Stiftung since 2001, encouraging dialogue on pertinent national social issues with a gendered lens. It brings together scholars, law makers and implementers, civil activists, government institutions, students and the general public, aiming at increasing knowledge and effectiveness of policy and programmes. The forum is convened in Nairobi, in Kisumu (in conjunction with Kenya Female Advisory Organisation KEFEADO) and it travels around Kenya in response to County interests.