BY DORIS KATHIA AND MERCY MWENDWA
In an ideal world, healthcare would be synonymous with comfort, safety, and dignity. Sadly, when it comes to reproductive healthcare in many parts of the world, this isn’t always the case. In Kenya for instance, the issue of abortion is highly stigmatized, and those seeking or advocating for safe abortion services often face social, political, and legal challenges. We are left with an important question: Why must reproductive healthcare, particularly abortion, be painful—physically, emotionally, and psychologically?
The stigmatization of abortion contributes to unsafe practices that lead to preventable deaths and lifelong health complications for many women. According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS), unsafe abortions contribute to over 20,000 hospital admissions annually. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that unsafe abortions account for 13% of maternal deaths. These are not mere statistics; they represent real women whose lives could have been saved with access to safe, legal, and dignified healthcare.
One of the most painful aspects of abortion is the stigma that surrounds it. In Kenya and across much of Africa, cultural and religious norms frame abortion as an immoral act. Women who seek abortions are branded as “murderers,” while healthcare providers who offer these services are often treated as pariahs or criminals.
This stigma leads to a chilling effect: women who need abortion services are forced into secrecy, seeking out unsafe and illegal options that put their health and lives at risk. Many are subjected to dangerous procedures carried out by unqualified individuals or resort to unsafe, unregulated drugs in a desperate bid to end a pregnancy. For them, healthcare is not just painful—it is terrifying.
Healthcare should not only be accessible but also affirming. Access to safe abortion services should be seen as part of the broader commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare. When we deny women these services, we are denying them their right to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures.
It is time to challenge the narrative that frames abortion as inherently harmful or painful. Safe abortion services, performed by trained medical professionals in sterile environments, are among the safest medical procedures available. According to the Guttmacher Institute, the risk of complications from a safe abortion is less than 0.5%, which is significantly lower than the risk of complications from childbirth.
A woman seeking an abortion should be able to do so in a healthcare facility where her dignity is respected, where she can ask questions without fear of judgment, and where she feels safe. This is the very essence of healthcare—providing care that heals rather than harms. When women have access to safe abortion services, we not only protect their physical health but also their mental and emotional well-being.
Improving access to safe abortion services requires a multi-faceted approach. First, we need to change the policies that criminalize abortion in many countries. Kenya’s Constitution, under Article 26(4), allows for abortion when the life or health of the mother is at risk. However, many women and healthcare providers are unaware of these provisions, and the laws are often misinterpreted or ignored by law enforcement.
Secondly, comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) must be integrated into our school systems and communities to empower young people with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. This education must include accurate information about contraception, consent, and the realities of abortion.
Finally, we must shift societal attitudes. Abortion is not a moral failing but a healthcare need. Public health campaigns that destigmatize abortion, advocate for women’s rights, and elevate the voices of those affected by unsafe abortion practices are crucial to changing perceptions.
The simple truth is: healthcare is not only about the treatment of illness but also about providing comfort and relief from suffering. Safe abortion services do exactly that. They offer women an option to reclaim their bodies and their lives without unnecessary pain, trauma, or shame.
We must agree that better healthcare doesn’t have to be painful. It must be safe, accessible, and free from stigma. Women deserve better, and it’s up to us to ensure that they get the care they need.
In advocating for safe, legal, and accessible abortion services, we are advocating for a world where women can make choices about their bodies without fear of punishment, rejection, or death. Because in the end, better healthcare means providing women with the autonomy to make decisions that are best for their health and their futures.
Doris Kathia and Mercy Mwendwa are NAYA Youth Advocates
