Yay! Imo State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has just signed into law a bill which, among other things, permits women to procure an abortion when they need it. The bill was sponsored by the Majority Leader and Imo state house member representing Ahiazu Mbaise state constituency, Mrs. Ihuoma Adekunle, the law is to be cited as “Imo State of Nigeria, Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law Number 12 of 2012”.
According to Vanguard, under the new law, every woman in Imo State shall "have the right to enjoy reproductive rights, including rights to medical abortion in cases of sexual assault, rape, incest and where the continued pregnancy endangers the life or the physical, mental, psychological or emotional health of the mother."
The law also stipulates that “every woman shall have the right to take decisions about her health needs and requirements.” The law was very specific that a woman “shall have the right to determine the processes concerning reproduction in her body.”
Okorocha also approved that every woman should have a right to health, which should be understood to mean enjoyment of the highest level of physical, mental and social well-being and healthcare services.
These provisions include everything relating to family planning.
While this is amazing and welcome news to me, it's no surprise there are those woman haters for whom it is the end of the world. The Catholic Medical Practitioners Association, through their chairman, Dr. Phillip Njemanze, has reacted angrily to the law, arguing that “the law is anti-God, dehumanizing and totally unacceptable to the association.”
Hear him, “The law is devastating. With its signing into law by Governor Okorocha, abortion has been legalized in the state and anybody, just anybody can now ask for abortion as a right in the state.”
While recalling that the National Assembly had earlier rejected the bill, especially as it was against humanity, Njemanze reasoned that the law would encourage human egg trafficking.
For people like Njemanze, women are nincompoops that cannot take decisions concerning their own body and health. If a woman decides to sell her own eggs, how is that your concern? Who gets these young woman who need abortion pregnant, is it not randy old men who continue to rape and take advantage of young women?
Most importantly, is a clean healthy abortion not better than a quack procedure that will put the life and future reproductive health of a woman at risk?
What's your attitude to this 'abortion law'? Are you for or against it? And why?
Great great news! Finally, some meaningful and progressive legislature in Nigeria!
ReplyDeleteExactly. There should be more law making on the parts of the house members and less law breaking :)
DeleteAm very for it!!!! This is wonderful news
ReplyDeleteLOL...
DeleteI'm sorry...But i don't see how this is great news especially concerning the part of the law that legalizes abortion.Yes I agree that the conditions given under which abortion can be requested are appropriate but we all know how things work in Nigeria. How are these laws going to be executed? Any woman come come off form the streets claiming she was raped or sexually molested and get an abortion.What checks and balances are in place to ensure that the women getting abortions are victims? This law has simply opened the gate way for women who are selfish enough to have sex but not selfless enough to bear the consequences of their tryst to have abortions. How is it going to be regulated? I'm a bit concerned that we have just taken a step backward.
ReplyDeleteLegalized abortion will always be better regulated than illegal abortion. And with law comes more education. This is a good first step and I can only hope the Imo government will follow through on education and regulating on the law.
DeleteThe woman who like you say is selfish enough to have sex but not selfless enough to bear the consequences will have an abortion anyway, just that it will be done under unsafe and unsanitary conditions. How can this be a step backward?
DeleteDo you view the provision of condom the same way? Should condom provision be restricted to married couples only - who present photo evidence and a marriage certificate? Whether or not condoms are available, people will have sex whether they shouldn't be or not. Same thing with abortion.
how is killing an innocent unborn child for any reason the mother gives which are usually stupid a good news Myne? yes there are cases of rape out there but more cases of stupid promiscious girls who refuse to use condoms because "e no dey sweet" the law only opens the door for the wrong women, if its a medical reason eg threatens the mothers life as in the case of pre-eclampsia or eclampsia or the babys life in the case of selectin a child who is "SS" which is not soo bad etc that has already been in place since and should be the only reasons. I dont mind a woman selling her eggs but a woman aborting for any reason apart from preserving the health of the child or mother is 1st DEGREE MURDER
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing you're not God neither are you the law or lawmaker. Any reason women give are usually stupid, right? And you're the smartest person in the room, right?
DeleteMyne, Its good you agreed on another comment that part of the law is "better availability and access to family planning" I said stupid reasons cos i have heard quite a lot of reasons and it did not make sense to me, i am not "God" but i do not support legalizing abortion, if it was free family planning and better sex education it would be alot better, more people will just abuse the law and thats my opinion tho. Myne i am not the smartest person in the room but i have a right to speak my mind. Nice blog BTW keep it going
DeleteMyne, Its good you agreed on another comment that part of the law is "better availability and access to family planning" I said stupid reasons cos i have heard quite a lot of reasons and it did not make sense to me, i am not "God" but i do not support legalizing abortion, if it was free family planning and better sex education it would be alot better, more people will just abuse the law and thats my opinion tho. Myne i am not the smartest person in the room but i have a right to speak my mind. Nice blog BTW keep it going
DeleteIn as much as I do not wish to present a "holier than thou" attitude,I don't thinks its good news in anyway. Knowing Nigerians,this just opens room for abuse of the law. People will stop being careful,caution will be thrown out and unprotected sex becomes the order of the day,adter all they can get an abortion when they feel like it. By the way, did u call catholics women haters????
ReplyDeleteAre you serious??? LMAO! My god, the ignorance.
DeleteMy dear, having an abortion is not a trip to the spa. The action itself is emotional draining. U think u r d only one who thinks about the 'life' of the child that will never be? U think these women don't have sleepless nights considering what they are doing? Gosh! The ignorance!
My dear, abortion happens whether or not itz legal or not. The legalising it gives the woman a chance to continue her life. Abi, daz too much for u to live with? U would rather have them die in the action? That would be a worthy payment for daring to have an abortion bah? U like ur sinners baring the scars of their transgression? It helps u sleep better at night, bah?
@Onyinye, part of this law is the better availability and access to family planning methods. I'm sure with the right education and more variety, many women would choose preventing of pregnancy rather than abortion. I doubt that abortion is an easy deal for any woman.
DeletePS - As for woman haters, it is "The Catholic Medical Practitioners Association, through their chairman, Dr. Phillip Njemanze"
Myne I am very disappointed in u...how can u call legalising abortion a good news? So ur outrightly saying dt ladies should go on FORNICATING n then abort when it results into an unwanted pregnancy...If a gal gets raped, d first thing she shld do is go 2 police 2 report n from there straight to d hospital 2 flush out watever av been put in her. So how then wld she get pregnant and even think of aborting? Rochas shld go n face his pples problems n stop being jobless,cus I know its joblessness dat is causing all dis rubbish...@Myne ur blog is public, its not all comments u respond 2..cus it seems ur exchanging words with some of ur commentators.
ReplyDeleteAnon, if you read my blog, you will know that yes, I actually support premarital sex for women who are adult and mature enough to handle it. If it results in a pregnancy, it is her body and her choice what to do with it. Personally, I'm more for contraceptives and pro-choose-life than abortion.
DeleteYou say, "If a gal gets raped, d first thing she shld do" the key word being "should". You and I know that the way rape is treated, most women would NEVER report, not even to their closest family and friends, not to talk of police that will mock them, if not even rape them on top. Hopefully with this law, all these taboo subjects will be talked about and everybody become more aware of what to do in situations of rape, abuse, etc.
As for responding to comments, I do that on posts that are my personal opinion pieces like this one, I do that when I have time to.
I never get why abortion stir up so much emotions in people. This law is truly a step in the right direction. A woman's body oftentimes belong to everybody else but her, let the law finally start giving women their bodies back.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great milestone for reproductive right. I will vote for safety anyday than for women to die under quack doctors cause you know what:
ReplyDeleteabortion is happening under our noses right this minute
2. abortion is NEVER an easy decision so I don't know why we think it is
now more than anything I hope it is regulated well. Women who ask for it are counselled not forcefully or threateningly but advised of other life saving options. informed choice is key.
I also know no doctor is forced to do it. for those that won't it shouldn't be forced.
a for those talking of egg trafficking how is that related to abortion? that's a very invasive procedure last time I checked...harvesting eggs from ovaries. Then again who said its not happening already with poverty so high.
anyway Gov Rochas thumbs up. Knowing the strong Catholic community in Imo state I am amazed at his decision.
p.s. oh I forgot the third criterion for success of this - making family planning sites available and prolly equipped. these will reduce the actual need for an abortion.
Myne, hope you don't mind, i went to dig up this post of mine. less garbled than the comment.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mak2chi.com/2012/09/this-is-why-abortion-should-be-legalised.html
Thank you, Ginger. That's a great post!
DeleteSomeone is using his right sense in Nigeria
ReplyDeleteIf Abraham knew about abortion, I don't think we will be in the mess we are in now.
ReplyDeleteIf a lady gets raped by an armed robber, sebi she should keep the INNOCENT CHILD of the armed robber and enjoy the pain he/she brings to her after delievry. Please judge with righteous judgement.....
No matter their good reason,it is murder and God won't entertain that. Hell is gettin populated day in day out.is it not better you live in that trauma for the period of your stay here and make heaven than remove it and remain in everlastin sorrow,regret and agony? Hell is no joke,it is a terrible place. Pls ma,don't encourage people to continue in their sinful life,doesn't worth it,not just about this post,i read ya comment.
ReplyDeleteTwo things I'd like to add to this conversation.
ReplyDeleteOne. Statistically rape is not the single most prominent reason for needing an abortion. Two of the commonest reasons women give for abortions are failure of birth control, and a child not wanted at the time because of the woman's education.
Secondly, I have seen a lot of comments about reproductive rights of the woman. Any thoughts on the rights of the unborn child, to life?
People have made themselves God who judges. Been a medical person. I know what pain pregnancy from rape causes. A woman has absolute right on how she chooses to use her body. All you can do is advise that she makes right choices. And all of you talking like you know who's going to heaven and hell; please lets hear word. God forgives EVERY wrong act thr minute you say "I'm sorry "
ReplyDeleteIt's just great that we are not God. Regardless of what the bible says about sins and forgiveness, God still decides who to forgive or not. So whilst you are busy judging that person you think is a child murderer, be careful you don't see them in heaven on your way to hell because I'm sure it said thou shall not judge the same way it says thou shall not kill, commit adultery,etc. And that if you'd tought it in your mind, that you've committed the sin already.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, until you are the one carrying the baby and giving birth to it, only and only then do you have a say as to what happens to that pregnancy, even when you are the husband. So please let keep our self-righteousness to ourselves and try not to second guess what God would or would not do.
personally, i think if a woman decides to have an abortion...it is between her and God,..what every other person is saying is just noise...and as for those saying its murder...pls do remember that it is not for you to judge....when its judgement day...u wont be the one to answer on her behalf,....we should learn to think first before we decide to comment or talk about issues like this...whatever a woman decides to do with her body is nobody's business.... Some people are saying "you do the way it is in Nigeria" they will abuse the law...whether we like it or not...the laws are always abused!!...well that is my own opinion tho...
ReplyDeletethank you very much Anonymous December 5th!... you have said it all!... at the end of the day....every man and woman will stand on their own before God!!...seriously, the way we Nigerians judge is rather unbecoming!!... we should try to be more rational minded!...
ReplyDeleteMyne hi, first of all I want to say that I admire your talents as a writer/creative person and I also believe that the influence you have as a writer can be used to promote complete truth, and not half truths, or middle ground writing which would make you acceptable to both sides of the divide. I would not even bother to write this, and I do it at the risk of you refusing to publish this, but my conscience will not let me rest if I do not say this, whether you publish or not. I am also writing because you say you are a Christian writer and I have seen you identify as such before. I know the 'judging card' would be thrown at me by all, but I saying the truth and calling things what they are, in my estimation does not amount to judging.
ReplyDeleteWhen you say you are a Christian , but obey the Bible selectively, then I have an issue with it. This is what you wrote with regards to the Imo state Legislature and I quote,
'Anon, if you read my blog, you will know that yes, I actually support premarital sex for women who are adult and mature enough to handle it. If it results in a pregnancy, it is her body and her choice what to do with it.'
The Bible, which is our manual for life as Christians has a clear stand on premarital sex. 1 Corinthians 7:1-5 says:
"Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."
1 Corinthians 7:2 ESV / 62
"But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband."
Galatians 5:19 ESV / 18
"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, "
These are just a few of the numerous scriptures which speak out against premarital sex If you have a problem accepting the authority of God's word which you say you believe in, then there is no point talking about this as you may need to re-examine your beliefs!
On the Imo state abortion bill, it may be commendable on the surface and all, but that is what it is- a surface thing, because if you must change a people's way of thinking and beliefs, it starts from changing the mind/affecting their thinking processes. Whether or not they sign anything into law, people will do what they want to do, but it does not change the fact that abortion is wrong. Yes, people have faced extreme life threatening medical conditions which warranted the termination of a pregnancy, but I have also seen miracles happen, for those who believe in them.
Finally, this response is not targeted at those who do not accept the authority of God's word, who openly oppose the Bible, but it is targeted at us, who say we are Christians but take popular stands which conflict with the truth of the word of God. I rest my case!!!
Whether or not they legalize it, abortions happen everywhere and everyday, so legalizing it is great news because people would go to professionals with confidence and get it done instead of patronizing quacks. Great, great news I must say!
ReplyDelete