25 May 2025

Acting Minister of Health, Mr Lawrence Ookeditse has called for urgent action to improve access to safe abortion services to address the growing concerns over health risks posed by unsafe procedures carried out in secrecy.

Speaking during the second biennial congress of the Botswana Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (BOSOG) in Gaborone on Friday, Mr Ookeditse spoke of the need for open dialogue and legal reforms to protect the lives and rights of women in Botswana.

While abortion remained heavily restricted under current law, he said the reality was that many young girls and women sought out unsafe alternatives, often with devastating consequences.

“Women are dying in silence, as leaders, we must confront this public health issue with compassion, evidence, and a commitment to human rights, access to safe abortion is not about encouraging it, it is about saving lives and ensuring dignity,” he said.

Under Botswana’s current Penal Code, abortion is only permitted in limited circumstances, such as when the mother’s life is at risk, in cases of rape or incest, or where the fetus has severe abnormalities.Mr Ookeditse therefore, said it was time for open and honest national dialogue on abortion since many women resorted to unsafe and unregulated procedures.

He said there was a concerning rise in complications related to unsafe abortions, particularly among young women and girls in rural communities.

“Think of a poor girl child in Manxotai, with unwanted pregnancy, ending up throwing a baby in a pit latrine,” Mr Ookeditse said, expressing frustration over the ambiguities and stigma surrounding abortion services. “On the other hand, another young girl from a rich family still in Botswana crosses the border to perform a safe abortion,” said Mr Ookeditse.

He stressed the importance of better support systems for women facing unwanted pregnancies and called on lawmakers and religious leaders to participate in an inclusive national conversation on reproductive health rights.

“Although Botswana is a Christian country, and abortion against ethics, I am not advocating for abortion as a first option,” but advocating for safety, legality and informed choice,” he said.

The acting minister announced plans to table the motion in the upcoming parliamentary session, to explore policy options that aligned with the impact of unsafe abortions on international health standards.

The BOSOG platform serves to advance women’s health care, promote medical ethics, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and advocacy and professional development. ENDS