Abortion in Benin

In Benin, abortion is legal on broad socioeconomic grounds up to twelve weeks of pregnancy.

During the French colonial era, a 1920 law banned abortion except to save the life of the woman. In 2003, the National Assembly legalised abortion in the cases of threat to the mother's health, pregnancy from rape or incest, or risk of birth defects.

Benin is one of the only countries in Africa to legalise abortion. Many public health officials support legal abortion and cite the country's maternal mortality rate. Many religious leaders oppose it. Civil society organisations such as Ipas advocate for safe abortion.

The rates of abortion and self-induced abortion have increased since the 1990s. Unsafe abortion is common, especially among adolescents. Unsafe abortions are a major cause of maternal mortality in the country.

## Legislation

[edit]

A 2021 amendment to the Sexual Health and Reproduction (SRH) 2003 Law permits abortion:[1][2]

À la demande de la femme enceinte, l'interruption volontaire de grossesse peut être autorisée lorsque la grossesse est susceptible d'aggraver ou d'occasionner une situation de détresse matérielle, éducationnelle, professionnelle ou morale incompatible avec l'intérêt de la femme et/ou de l'enfant à naître...

Induced abortion may be authorised upon the request of the pregnant woman, voluntary termination of pregnancy can be allowed when the pregnancy is likely to aggravate or cause a situation of material, educational, professional or moral distress incompatible with the interest of the woman and/or the unborn child...

The law specifies a gestational age of 12 weeks (12 weeks after amenorrhea) during which abortion is permitted.[3][4]

The law does not set a gestational limit for therapeutic abortion. Abortions prescribed by a doctor for the life or health of the woman have been legal since 2003.[4][5]

The law states that a pregnant woman above the age of majority may request an abortion directly from a physician in a public or private health facility, or may make a request through a social worker.[3] If the pregnant woman is a minor or an adult under a conservatorship, her legal representative must request an abortion through a social worker, who refers her to a facility which may provide an abortion with the legal guardian's consent.[4][6]

## History

[edit]

### Colonial era

[edit]

The 1920 law banning abortion in France has influenced the law and practice of abortion in Benin and other Francophone countries in West Africa.[7]

### Post-independence

[edit]

Before 2003, abortion was only permitted to save the life of the pregnant woman.[8] A select list of experts were allowed to examine a pregnancy to determine whether the only option for saving the woman's life was to induce abortion.[9][10]

In 2003, Benin ratified the Maputo Protocol, which provides for access to safe abortion.[11]

### 2003 law

[edit]

On 3 March 2003, law number 2003-04 was passed. Article 17 prohibited abortion with three exceptions:[12]

Lorsque la poursuite de la grossesse met en danger la vie et la santé de la femme enceinte ; À la demande de la femme lorsque la grossesse est la conséquence d’un viol ou d’une relation incestueuse ; et lorsque l’enfant à naître présente une malformation congénitale.

In the case that the continuation of a pregnancy endangers the life or health of the pregnant woman; at the request of the pregnant woman if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest; or in the case that the child would be born with a congenital malformation

The law stipulated a future decree to set the conditions and protocol for legal abortion.[8]

### 2021 law

[edit]

According to 2021 government statistics, nearly 200 women died as a result of unsafe abortions. On the night of 20–21 October 2021, the National Assembly passed Law 2021-12, a legal amendment to Law 2003-04 on sexual and reproductive health. The new law allowed for abortion on request for up to twelve weeks of pregnancy for socioeconomic reasons.[2][1][13] The legislators present during the final vote passed the law unanimously.[14] Benin became one of the only countries in Africa to legalise abortion within a regulatory framework.[15]

Some members of parliament opposed the law, as they believed abortion is immoral.[16] President of the National Assembly Louis Vlavonou argued that the law was caused by Western influence and a conspiracy against African values. He argued that women must accept the consequences and responsibility of getting pregnant in lieu of seeking abortions.[17]

The law was created due to lobbying by doctors, supported by the country's minister for social affairs Véronique Tognifode, and health minister Benjamin Hounkpatin, who have both worked as gynecologists.[14] Hounkpatin cited the high rate of maternal deaths caused by unsafe abortions.[16] President Patrice Talon supported the law.[14]

#### Public debate

[edit]

The Catholic Church in Benin, particularly the Episcopal Conference of Benin, has opposed Law 2021-12 and campaigned against its instatement.[2]

Some doctors supported the new law as a way to reduce maternal mortality. Others opposed the law due to personal or religious opposition.[18]

Civil society organizations welcomed the new law, including l’Association béninoise pour la promotion de la famille (ABPF, transl. Beninese Association for Family Promotion), the Collège National des Gynécologues et Obstétriciens du Bénin (CNGOB, transl. Benin National Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), and the non-governmental organization Femmes engagées pour le développement (transl. Women Engaged for Development).[19][20]

On 12 October 2021, CNGOB spokesperson Raphaël Totongnon and the president of ABPF addressed the National Assembly and the president of the Law Commission, Orden Alladatin. Totongnon cited that abortion was the third-leading cause of maternal mortality in Benin. The ABPF president said, "In our advocacy speech, we demand that the National Assembly save the lives of the many women who lose their lives from clandestine abortions."[17]

### Civil society organisations

[edit]

Organisations that advocate for access to safe abortion as part of sexual and reproductive health, include ABPF, the Parliamentary Network for Population and Development, Ipas Francophone Africa, CNGOB, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Rutgers, and UNFPA Benin.[21]

From September 2020 to December 2021, Ipas Francophone Africa collaborated with Rutgers to implement the "Sa santé, ses choix" (transl. Her health, her choice) project to improve the condition of abortion in Benin. Through this project, Ipas worked to change mentalities, wrote a document advocating for safe abortion, trained providers at ABPF's partner clinics, published an evaluation of abortion in Benin, organised a national dialogue on abortion, and drafted a plan for the Ministry of Health.[22]

## Prevalence

[edit]

In 2015–2019, there were 589,000 pregnancies per year, of which 227,000 were unintended and 84,300 resulted in abortion. Between 1990–1994 and 2015–2019, the unintended pregnancy rate decreased by 17% and the abortion rate increased by 22%.[23]

Abortion is a taboo subject in Benin.[24] There is a strong stigma surrounding abortion based on religious and moral values. The stigma leads women to seek clandestine abortions.[7]

Since the 1990s, self-induced abortions have been growing in Benin, especially among students in high school or university.[10]

Complications of unsafe abortion among women, especially adolescents, are a major public health issue.[25] Health authorities consider the rate of unsafe abortions alarming.[26]

Unsafe abortions contribute to the country's maternal mortality rate of 391 per 100,000 births, as of 2021.[25] Before the 2021 law was passed, it was estimated that 200 women per year died of unsafe abortions, of which 20% were adolescents.[26] A 2002 study conducted in four hospitals reported that 14.6% of deaths were caused by unsafe abortions.[7] Among girls aged 15 to 19, 15% of maternal deaths are caused by unsafe abortions, as of 2021.[25]

Contraceptive use is rare. As of 2013, only 8% of women in relationships use birth control. This rate is highest in Cotonou, at 12%.[7]

### Cases

[edit]

In March 2022, a 41-year-old auxiliary nurse was sentenced to 20 years of prison for providing a clandestine abortion that caused the death of a young woman in December 2016.[27]

## See also

[edit]

* Health in Benin
* Human rights in Benin
* Women in Benin

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Ouedraogo, Ramatou (7 November 2021). "Benin's groundbreaking new abortion law will save the lives of many women". The Conversation. Archived from the original on 25 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
2. ^ a b c "Au Bénin, l'Assemblée nationale vote la légalisation de l'avortement" [In Benin, the National Assembly passes the legalisation of abortion]. Le Monde. Agence France-Presse. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
3. ^ a b Job, Chisom Peter. "'Letting women decide': Activists hail Benin abortion vote". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 25 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
4. ^ a b c Government of Benin (2021). "Loi No. 2021-12 modifiant et complétant la loi No. 2003-04 du 3 mars 2003" [Law No. 2021-12 amending and supplementing Law No. 2003-04 of 3 March 2003]. sgg.gouv.bj. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
5. ^ "Zakiath Latoundji : "L'Interruption Volontaire de Grossesse (IVG) n'est pas une méthode de contraception"" [Zakiath Latoundji: "Voluntary abortion is not a method of contraception"]. Fraternité. 8 April 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
6. ^ "Country Profile: Benin". Global Abortion Policies Database. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
7. ^ a b c d Baxerres, Carine; Boko, Ines; Konkobo, Adjara; Ouattara, Fatoumata (18 May 2018). "Gestion des grossesses non désirées au Bénin et au Burkina Faso" [Managing unwanted pregnancies in Benin and Burkina Faso: affective situations and popular abortion practices]. Anthropologie & Santé. Revue internationale francophone d'anthropologie de la santé (in French) (16). doi:10.4000/anthropologiesante.2872. ISSN 2111-5028. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
8. ^ a b Avonnon, Kader; Bulthuis, Susan (May 2018). "Benin Rapport: Evaluation des besoins de plaidoyer pour l'avortement securise" [Benin Report: Evaluation of need for advocacy for safe abortion] (PDF). International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (in French). Retrieved 5 April 2022.
9. ^ Abortion Policies: Oman to Zimbabwe. United Nations Publications. 2001. ISBN 9789211513653. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
10. ^ a b United Nations. Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Population Division (1992). Abortion policies : a global review - Vol 1. United Nations. ISBN 92-1-151351-0. OCLC 48213121. Retrieved 29 December 2021..
11. ^ Bankole, Akinrinola; Remez, Lisa; Owolabi, Onikepe; Philbin, Jesse; Williams, Patrice (2020). De l'avortement non sécurisé à sécurisé en Afrique subsaharienne : des progrès lents mais constants [From Unsafe to Safe Abortion in Sub-Saharan Africa: Slow but Steady Progress] (PDF). Guttmatcher Institute. p. 10, 14, 38-45. doi:10.1363/2020.32446.
12. ^ Government of Benin (3 March 2003). "Loi No. 2003-04 du 03 mars 2003" [Law No. 2003-04 of 3 March 2003]. sgg.gouv.bj (in French). Retrieved 5 April 2022.
13. ^ "Encadrement de l'avortement au Bénin : Le Parlement a adopté la loi modificative" [Management of abortion in Benin: Parliament adopts an amendatory law]. Government of the Republic of Benin (in French). 21 October 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
14. ^ a b c Peltier, Elian (13 November 2022). "While Abortion Rights Shrink in U.S., This Small Country Expanded Access". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 24 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
15. ^ "La légalisation de l'avortement adoptée au Bénin" [Legalisation of abortion passed in Benin]. Le Journal du Jura (in French). 21 October 2021. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021.
16. ^ a b Aplogan, Jean-Luc (21 October 2021). "Bénin: les députés ont adopté une nouvelle loi sur le droit à l'avortement" [Benin: legislators adopt new law on the right to abortion]. Radio France Internationale (in French). Retrieved 16 December 2021.
17. ^ a b "Légalisation de l'avortement "volontaire" au Bénin: Les avis divergent, çà jase sur la toile" [Induced abortion law in Benin: Opinions vary, the internet discusses]. Matin Libre (in French). 15 October 2021. Archived from the original on 15 October 2021.
18. ^ "Reportage Afrique - Réforme de la loi sur l'avortement au Bénin: ce qu'en pensent les soignants". RFI (in French). 9 December 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
19. ^ Faye, Awa Cheikh; Houssou, Rachida (25 October 2021). "6 questions pour comprendre le débat sur la légalisation de l'avortement au Bénin" [6 questions to understand the debate on legalising abortion in Benin]. BBC News Afrique (in French). Retrieved 10 April 2022.
20. ^ Azizaho, Arsène (17 September 2021). "Kifayath Tokochabi à propos de l'avortement sécurisé au Bénin : « Aucune femme ne va à l'avortement par pur plaisir … »" [Kifayath Tokochabi on safe abortion in Benin: "No woman gets an abortion just for fun..."]. Fraternité (in French). Archived from the original on 18 September 2021.
21. ^ Gbehinto Maffon, Judith (23 October 2021). "Santé sexuelle et reproductive : L'ABPF se réjouit de la sécurisation des IVG - Fraternité" [Sexual and reproductive health: ABPF welcomes safe abortion]. www.fraternitebj.info (in French). Archived from the original on 7 December 2021.
22. ^ "Clôture du Projet « Sa santé, ses choix »: Ipas contribue à l'amélioration de l'écosystème de l'avortement au Bénin" [Closing of the "Her health, her choice" project: Ipas contributes to the improvement of the abortion ecosystem in Benin]. Matin Libre (in French). Archived from the original on 27 January 2022.
23. ^ "Benin country profile". Guttmacher Institute. 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
24. ^ Blanchard, Sandrine (18 November 2021). "L'avortement facilité au Bénin" [Abortion made easier in Benin]. Deutsche Welle (in French). Archived from the original on 19 November 2021.
25. ^ a b c Badarou, Aziz (15 November 2021). "Avortement au Bénin: L'Anssp évalue la durabilité de l'écosystème" [Abortion in Benin: ANSSP evaluates the durability of the ecosystem]. Matin Libre (in French). Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
26. ^ a b "Avortement clandestin: les chiffres alarmants au Bénin" [Clandestine abortion: the alarming numbers in Benin]. Banouto (in French). Retrieved 16 December 2021.
27. ^ Dossou, Frédéric (10 March 2022). "Bénin : Un aide-soignant condamné à 20 ans de prison pour avortement" [Benin: auxiliary nurse sentenced to 20 years of prison for abortion]. La Nouvelle Tribune (in French). Retrieved 7 April 2022.

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