criminalization of abortion. a thread
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Pregnancy complications are the 2nd leading cause of death in Kenya after HIV/AIDs (see table). The complications include botched abortions. Therefore pregnancy and abortion is a very important health and social policy issue. It ought not be a criminal justice issue. 
Unwanted pregnancies have two victims, the woman and the foetus. Decriminalization refers specifically to the woman. It does not extend to medical malpractice i.e. doctors or quacks who conduct backstreet abortions. Criminalization victimizing the woman twice.
Sanctimonious religiosity and moral posturing about sanctity of life are hypocritical and unhelpful more so in a society that routinely lynches pickpockets tolerates police executions hero worships politicians responsible for mass rape and burning to death people in a church.
Criminalizing abortion oppresses the poor. The well off can get onto a plane and get it done abroad. This is another case of public policy made by the powerful indulging religious dogma and feigned moralism because they are unlikely to suffer the consequences of their actions.
The abortion crisis reflects continued patriarchal oppression and control of women—a society where a predominantly male church opposes sex education, contraception and abortion effectively relegating women to vessels for cavemen procreation instincts and baby factories.
We can build skyscrapers bullet trains and fly around in helicopters but as long as we choose to be governed by cavemen instincts and the ethos of a slave society, we shall remain a politically primitive and economically backward society. END
