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Benin: 'We're Saving Our Children' - Abortion Law Welcomed
DW, 10 November 2021
Benin's parliament has voted to legalize abortion in most cases, becoming one of only a handful of African countries to do so. Read more »
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Benin: Groundbreaking New Abortion Law Will Save the Lives of Many Women
The Conversation Africa, 7 November 2021
Benin's parliament has voted to legalise abortion in most circumstances. This is a groundbreaking move by the west African country given that 92% of women of reproductive age on… Read more »
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Benin: Opinion Divided After Govt Legalises Abortion
Nation, 1 November 2021
Benin's parliament recently voted to legalise abortion. Read more »
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Benin: Benin Commits to Closely Cooperate With ACHPR
Daily News, 26 October 2021
THE Republic of Benin has expressed its commitment to working closely with the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights in strengthening human rights and good governance. Read more »
Benin's New Abortion Law Divides Opinion
Previously in Benin, abortion was legal only in cases of rape or incest, if the mother's life was at risk, or if the unborn child had a particularly serious medical condition.
Under the new law, voted for by Parliament, women can terminate their pregnancy within the first three months if it is likely to "aggravate or cause material, educational, professional or moral distress, and be incompatible with her or the unborn child's interest".
Health Minister Benjamin Hounkpatin reportedly said that 20% of maternal death complications were as a result of abortion, with more than 200 women dying annually from abortion-related complications.
According to The Conversation, this is a groundbreaking move by the west African country given that 92% of women of reproductive age on the continent live in countries which have restrictions - some moderate, some severe - on abortions.
