16 Mar 2016

Kasane Primary Hospital nurse, Ms Esther Chisiangwa says many  women who commit abortion end up avoiding to go for medical help.

Speaking at a youth workshop aimed at enlightening women on the dangers of abortion and other related issues, Ms Chisiangwa said there was need for people to understand that abortion can either be intentional or unintentional.

“Women who commit abortion always have reasons why they do so and that is why male partners should get involved more with their pregnant female partners,” she said. 

She stated that when women or their partners are depressed or emotionally drained because of a pregnancy they should seek counselling or go for regular check-ups to ensure that the baby is growing well to avoid miscarriages.

On other issues, the nurse explained that health personnel offered women emergency contraceptives that work within 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent fertilization from happening. 

Reacting to the emergency contraceptive, the youth  felt that it was similar to committing abortion arguing that such a contraceptive will encourage people to have unprotected sex .

One such was Mr Mogomotsi Chika who also said allowing a woman to take contraceptives without the knowledge of her partner was wrong and that some women took them to terminate pregnancy even if there was agreement of conception between the couple.  

Mr Phemelo Makgasane explained that abortion could be reduced by practicing protected sex such as using a condom although it is hard to do because “we don’t have easy access to condoms. Even at hospitals and clinics they are not displayed where we can get them but rather we have to go and ask for them from the nurses, while some people are shy to do so,” he said.  

He said people end up having unprotected sex because of lack of confidence to buy or ask for  condoms.

Mr Karabo Mathaba stressed the importance of using condoms during sex because its usage does not prevent unplanned pregnancies only, but also the transmissions of Sexually Transmitted Infections.

In response, Ms Chisiangwa explained that pregnancy only occurs after 72 hours that is why the pills are taken within the hours and that as long as women have valid reasons they have the right to be given the contraceptives.

Ms Senzeni Makhwaje, a midwife in BOFWA (a youth friendly clinic) stated that in most cases women who go for the emergency contraceptives have valid reasons such as being forced to have unprotected sex. ENDS