Calls for decriminalised abortion grow louder

Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA) sampled views in areas such as Maun, Francistown, Mochudi, Kanye, Gaborone, Kasane and others. And the verdict is: Batswana want abortion legalised, but discouraged.

The tour included debates and dialogue held with members of the community, explains BOFWA programmes director, Kabelo Poloko, who adds that the initiative was taken after noting rising cases of backstreet abortions, which often end badly for the women. Nyangabgwe and Princess Marina, the country’s two largest public hospitals, are witnessing staggering cases where backstreet abortions go wrong and troubled mothers are forced to seek help in formal health institutions.