A phrase in Kenya's draft constitution has caused anger among the pro-abortion campaigners and doctors. According to those groups the proposed law seems to bring an end to women's choice wheter or not to carry a pregnancy.

Christian leaders threatened to vote against the draft law if the constitution does not prevent any expansion of abortoin rights. The phrase 'The life of a person begins at conception' in the draft constitution is now added to earlier the phrase 'everyone has a right to live'.

This change, however, has raised concerns with medical professionals saying it will have negative effects on Kenya's attempt to reduce maternal deaths. Phrases guaranteeing everyone the right to health care - including reproductive health care - and stating that no one may be refused emergency medical treatment have been deleted. A sentence ruling out abortion "unless in the opinion of a registrered medical practitioner the life of the moether is in daner" has been added.

Currently a woman can seek for termination of a pregnancy after consulting a doctor who also consults two other doctors before proceeding with the medical procedure. Severe blood pressure during pregnancy, some cancers and severe heart disease are some of the medical interventions in which abortions can bwe performed.
 

source: allAfrica.com

photo: flickr/ Nathan Destro