Africa leads in abortion-related deaths worldwide

More women in Africa die from unsafe abortions than anywhere else in the world, according to retired midwife Mrs Josephine Addy.

Speaking at a workshop on abortion organised by the Media Action Team for Reproduction Health (MATRH) she said that 4.2 million unsafe abortions are carried out across Africa each year, resulting in 90 women dying daily which is equal to 30,000 women every year.

She said women who wanted to terminate pregnancies used many unsafe methods including inserting objects into themselves, drinking poisonous substances, douching with caustic or poisonous substances and inflicting physical abuse. Women resort to these methods due to the attitudes of some health professionals, financial constraints, ignorance, legalities and moral reasons, amongst others.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics it is estimated that 46 million abortions are carried out worldwide annually with complications claiming the lives of 68,000 women.

Mrs Addy said that girls below the age of 18 should consult an adult if they wished to terminate a pregnancy.

This month GhanaWeb reported that a 14-year-old girl died when she attempted to abort her pregnancy by drinking a herbal concoction.