Women push to repeal restrictive abortion laws

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Women Collective Kenya has urged the government to repeal restrictive abortion laws that continue to deny women and girls access to safe reproductive health services. 

The call came on Sunday as the group joined the world in marking International Safe Abortion Day 2025.

Executive Director Ms Ruth Mumbi said safe abortion is both a health service and a human right that must be upheld.

“When you restrict abortion, you are not saving lives, you are killing women,” she said, warning that unsafe abortions remain a leading cause of preventable deaths in Kenya.

Ms Mumbi cited a 2023 African Population and Health Research Center report that recorded about 792,000 induced abortions in the country.

 She noted that many women resort to unsafe methods such as ingesting harmful substances or using sharp objects, often leading to severe complications.

“More than 300,000 women sought post-abortion care last year, with many suffering severe maternal outcomes including death or coma. According to the research, nine out of ten women seeking abortion in public health centres do not make it because they lack access to legal and post-abortion care,” she said.

She added that poor women in informal settlements and rural areas bear the greatest burden, while wealthy women can access services discreetly.

“This has become a class struggle that puts the lives of the most marginalised women at risk,” she said.

Ms Mumbi also criticised laws that, she argued, instil fear among healthcare providers.

“Despite Article 26 of the Constitution, there is blanket criminalisation of those who seek and provide post-abortion care. These legal, policy and administrative barriers have devastating consequences on women’s health and well-being,” she said.

Changing Laws, Changing Lives Project Officer Ms Lilian Maina echoed the call for urgent reforms.

“We call on the government to actualise Article 26 of the Constitution and repeal Penal Code Articles 158–160, 228 and 240 which criminalise access to abortion,” she said.

Ms Maina added that reforms should expand the categories of health workers and facilities permitted to provide abortion care.

“We urge the government to fast-track the removal of barriers that limit health providers and facilities from offering abortion services, especially for the most vulnerable women and girls,” she said.

She further stressed the need to fight stigma through accurate information and education.

“We urge the National and County Governments to eliminate abortion stigma by promoting information and education on safe abortion care as an essential health service, including its legality and availability,” she said.

Ms Maina also called on the Judiciary to uphold women’s rights.

“We ask the Judiciary to remain committed to safeguarding the human rights of women and girls as they develop jurisprudence that protects essential healthcare services,” she said.