Despite being Legal, Backyard abortions on the rise in SA

[Raphael]

It is often argued that if abortion was made illegal that it would merely result in backyard abortions in unsafe conditions.

However, in South Africa, abortion is legal, and a girl of any age going to a clinic can get an abortion (It's upheld as a constitutional right, no parental consent is required if the girl is a minor, the nurses at the clinic cannot refuse to do an abortion). But this has not stopped backyard abortions, and indeed while legal abortions for under 18's have risen to over 9000 a year in South Africa, illegal abortions have grown at an even faster rate.

In an article originally published on page 5 of Pretoria News on October 16, 2007 (http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=vn20071016084548206C779834), the journalist followed up on some flyers pasted on a lamppost advertising these backyard abortions.

Although it is legal in South Africa, abortion remains a controversial, private topic of conversation, whispered but never openly spoken about. Pretoria News Reporter Samantha Steele reports on a four-month investigation into an illegal clinic operating a street away from the Department of Health's headquarters in Pretoria

...

"No problem. You will bleed heavily because you are further along than three weeks, and you'll have some light cramping. But it is okay. I have had some girls come back for more abortions, so you see, you can get pregnant again," she tries to soothe me.

"How will you do it?" I ask.

"I will give you some pills. Four you will take orally, three we will insert into your cervix," she gestures upwards.

"Are you a real doctor?" Xolani asks.

"Yes," she answers. Behind her there hangs only a certificate from the African Herbalists Association - given to Dr HM Mkoya in 1998.

"So there won't be any problems if I get an abortion now?" I ask.

"No, a foetus only forms at four months, so you're still okay," she says.

Xolani pauses and turns to her. "We are really unsure about this. You know, we were wondering about counselling or something?" (Counselling is a legal requirement according to the Termination of Pregnancy Act 92 0f 1996). Dr Morina offers no suggestions. Silence stretches across the room.

"How much is it?" I ask.

"R700." Another pause.

"For R400 I could sell the abortion pills to you," she says, indicating me with a tilt of her head, "and you," pointing to Xolani, "can insert them into the cervix yourself. But it is better if I do it - the pills are sometimes not put all the way up."

(R700 = US$100)


It is estimated that 50% of all pregnancies in South Africa end in abortion with 256 808 legal abortions having occurred in the last 3 years. (source: Independent Newspapers Online (http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20070308232129788C922958)). It is unknown how many illegal abortions have occurred.

[Conductor42]

There's a difference though, between our society and theirs - the majority of South Africans probably can't afford to go to abortion clinics with the (for lack of a better phrase) 'standards' ours have.

For better or worse, however, in America I believe most people could find a way to afford a 'safe' abortion.

[Paintbucket]

I do agree with El Hippie.

[DukeOfEastaboga]

So let's just ignore this information comming from south africa??????? Seriously, what kind of information wont we ignore if we ignore this?

[Paintbucket]

We're not ignoring it, just stating a sad fact.

[DukeOfEastaboga]

Excuse me insted of ignore i should have said "read this information and not take it into account when considering the ramifications"

[Paintbucket]

I do not see your point.

[DukeOfEastaboga]

you are not taking this information into consideration you're just sweeping it under the rug because we live in a more wealthy country.

[Paintbucket]

Well, is it our problem Duke? What are we to do to help them?

[DukeOfEastaboga]

you misunderstand if it can happen there then it can happen here!! But as far as helping them i would suggest abstinence education it's free and 100% effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy.

[Paintbucket]

Abstinence education is only slightly effective. It pushes the start of sexual activity back only a few months past what it normally would be. Not a bad idea, education is the solution to most problems. However, there are two considerations. One: Where's the money coming from? Two: Should alternative educational methods be considered?

[Conductor42]

you are not taking this information into consideration you're just sweeping it under the rug because we live in a more wealthy country.

Yes or No: Does South Africa have a greater quality, or a lesser quality, of healthcare services in comparison to the USA?

[Raphael]

First of all I am South African. (I only moved to New Zealand 6 months ago).

1. ) Abortion has been legal in South Africa since 1994. According to the law you are entitled to have a free abortion at a government hospital or clinic during the first three months of pregnancy. (This is regardless of age. A pregnant 11 year old can walk into a clinic and ask for an abortion and she will get one)
2.) Yes in general South African healthcare is possibly not up the the standard of Johns Hopkins, It is the best on the continent. It doesn't alter the fact that abortion is free, and thus there is no need to go to a backyard clinic.
3.) The various contraceptives are free from government clinics. (condoms for both genders and oral contraceptives.)

As for abstinence programmes, the main thing said to kids (by the Government Campaing, LoveLife) is enjoy and explore you sexuality, just use protection. With the high prevelance of HIV/AIDS in South Africa, there are few 6 year olds who do not know about "safe" sexual practises.
(there have been cases in South Africa of 8year old boys gang-raping their class mates...so these kids know about this stuff from a very young age)

[DukeOfEastaboga]

Yes or No: Does South Africa have a greater quality, or a lesser quality, of healthcare services in comparison to the USA?

That's not a yes or no question it's an either, or question had I just said "Yes" you would have had know idea which position i was agreeing to, but i will say that they have a lesser quality of healthcare services in comparison to the USA; however that does not make the USA immune to this kind of negative backlash.

[Jimmy Higgins]

As for abstinence programmes, the main thing said to kids (by the Government Campaing, LoveLife) is enjoy and explore you sexuality, just use protection. With the high prevelance of HIV/AIDS in South Africa, there are few 6 year olds who do not know about "safe" sexual practises. Is it not more like the guy wants sex, the girl has to submit?

(there have been cases in South Africa of 8year old boys gang-raping their class mates...so these kids know about this stuff from a very young age)8 year olds? Isn't the sans-puberty?

[Raphael]

Is it not more like the guy wants sex, the girl has to submit?They do try to get across the point that "No mean No".


8 year olds? Isn't the sans-puberty?You would think it was impossible wouldn't you.

I couldn't find the article on the exact incident I was referring to (it was about 2 years ago), but here are some similar ones:
http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=105&art_id=ct20020920112954985T600410
Western Cape education minister Andre Gaum said among the 80 pupils expelled last year were two nine-year-olds and an 11-year-old, who were given their marching orders for "immoral conduct" after an alleged sodomy incident. Their school was not identified.

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=105&art_id=ct20021106115419801R32096
Gauteng is set to get tough on a West Rand primary school where a 13-year-old boy allegedly raped an eight-year-old girl in front of classmates.

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=qw1036748880573B263
Five grade three (standard 1) pupils, clutching their mothers' hands, were marched into the Krugersdorp magistrate's court dock on Friday where they appeared with a 13-year-old classmate in connection with the rape of an eight-year-old schoolgirl last month.

The 13-year-old is at a place of safety and the other five, between eight- and 10-years-old, were released into the custody of their parents after their first court appearance on October 28, shortly after the incident at the Tsholetsega Primary School.

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20050617070235341C105294
We have younger and younger offenders," Lambrecht said.
"We have heard of seven-year-old boys who have attempted to sodomise other boys."

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20030113054800573C644294
A 10-year-old boy has been arrested for raping a five-month-old relative, in the latest horrific incident of child rape to hit South Africa.

...

"A lot more younger kids are becoming involved in child sex. I do not know whether it is because it is more spoken about or whether they are seeing others doing it and then believe that it is acceptable behaviour," she said.
According to Methven, if these young offenders are "caught" before they are 10, something can be done to help them.
"However, if they are caught after that, I do not believe that there is any hope because they cannot be rehabilitated."
Legislation in South Africa does not hold children seven and younger criminally accountable.

....

Last year [2002], the Johannesburg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) dealt with a number of cases involving young offenders - including an incident in which 7-year-old boys indecently assaulted each other.

"In another incident a group of boys aged 10 gang-raped a girl," Roestoff said.

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=vn20050710123619850C495299
One out of every three children is having sex at the age of 10, and 17 out of 100 will deliberately spread the virus if they know they are HIV-positive.

These are the findings of a comprehensive survey by the Community Information, Empowerment and Transparency (CIET Africa) in November and December 2002.

[Jimmy Higgins]

Wow! That last statistic, which I hope is blown out of proportion, is monstrous! 1 in 3 that are 10 years old are having sex. That's seems absurd. I'm not doubting the numbers... but don't these kids have tv or something? Sports? Cricket?!

The 17 of 100 seems almost evil... it did seem a bit fine tuned... that they found 17% of kids who knew they had AIDS, spread it on purpose. Does it get much worse than that? Well.. yeah, 50%, but you know what I mean.

Gosh South Africa has problems if these numbers are correct!

[DukeOfEastaboga]

Wow! That last statistic, which I hope is blown out of proportion, is monstrous! 1 in 3 that are 10 years old are having sex. That's seems absurd. I'm not doubting the numbers... but don't these kids have tv or something? Sports? Cricket?!

The 17 of 100 seems almost evil... it did seem a bit fine tuned... that they found 17% of kids who knew they had AIDS, spread it on purpose. Does it get much worse than that? Well.. yeah, 50%, but you know what I mean.

Gosh South Africa has problems if these numbers are correct!

wow you're right, if only there was a book inspired by a supreme being that could tell us that sex outside of marriage is wrong, it would prevent all of those poor children from being infected with that horribel disease. :whistle:

[Raphael]

Wow! That last statistic, which I hope is blown out of proportion, is monstrous! 1 in 3 that are 10 years old are having sex. That's seems absurd. I'm not doubting the numbers... but don't these kids have tv or something? Sports? Cricket?! I personally think the one in three by age ten could be a little high *shrug*. But by age thirteen I would say it's very likely. The current "in thing" is they make amatuer porn movies and photos using cell phone cameras.

These kids are having sex at school during tea and lunch breaks.

In many cases teachers are offering "marks for sex" to school girls.

The 17 of 100 seems almost evil... it did seem a bit fine tuned... that they found 17% of kids who knew they had AIDS, spread it on purpose. Does it get much worse than that? Well.. yeah, 50%, but you know what I mean.Slight correction "17% of kids said that if they found out they had AIDS, that they would spread it on purpose."
Sadly it is a very common sentiment expressed in South Africa.


Gosh South Africa has problems if these numbers are correct!It does. Sadly there is much ignorance on issues (despite very proactive teaching)
Jacob Zuma, who is most likely going to be the next South African president, at his rape trial made statements that he knew he wouldn't get AIDS from the lady (a HIV+ AIDS Activist) who accused him of rape, because he had a shower after having sex with her. At the time he was deputy president of the country, head of the South African Moral Regeneration committee and Head of the SA National AIDS Council
Many many people believe the sangoma's (witch doctors) when they say that having sex with a virgin will cure HIV/AIDS. This has resulted in a high number of raping of toddlers.
Thabo Mbeki, the president of South Africa has made it no secret that he doesn't believe that HIV and AIDS are related to each other.
Manto Tshabala-Msimang, the Health Minister, is very vocal in her beliefs that HIV/AIDS can be cured by a diet of beetroot, garlic and vitamin C.
And not a South African problem alone but teenagers have a tendency to think they're bullet proof.

I didn't include the article in my last post but....
http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20060527081748348C314519
Thousands of girls and boys, some as young as 10, are selling themselves on Durban's streets where many are making as much as R15 000 a month.
...
When The Independent on Saturday visited a popular hangout, based in central Chatsworth just outside the Chatsworth Centre, six girls aged roughly from 11 to 16 scattered into the nearby centre.

However, one girl dressed in a short and revealing dress was not ashamed and explained how she targeted the more affluent clients.

[Conductor42]

Alright, I'll concede that then.



First of all I am South African. (I only moved to New Zealand 6 months ago).

1. ) Abortion has been legal in South Africa since 1994. According to the law you are entitled to have a free abortion at a government hospital or clinic during the first three months of pregnancy. (This is regardless of age. A pregnant 11 year old can walk into a clinic and ask for an abortion and she will get one)
2.) Yes in general South African healthcare is possibly not up the the standard of Johns Hopkins, It is the best on the continent. It doesn't alter the fact that abortion is free, and thus there is no need to go to a backyard clinic.
3.) The various contraceptives are free from government clinics. (condoms for both genders and oral contraceptives.)

As for abstinence programmes, the main thing said to kids (by the Government Campaing, LoveLife) is enjoy and explore you sexuality, just use protection. With the high prevelance of HIV/AIDS in South Africa, there are few 6 year olds who do not know about "safe" sexual practises.
(there have been cases in South Africa of 8year old boys gang-raping their class mates...so these kids know about this stuff from a very young age)

[Jimmy Higgins]

In many cases teachers are offering "marks for sex" to school girls.
Slight correction "17% of kids said that if they found out they had AIDS, that they would spread it on purpose."
Sadly it is a very common sentiment expressed in South Africa.Oh... that is "better".


It does. Sadly there is much ignorance on issues (despite very proactive teaching)
Jacob Zuma, who is most likely going to be the next South African president, at his rape trial made statements that he knew he wouldn't get AIDS from the lady (a HIV+ AIDS Activist) who accused him of rape, because he had a shower after having sex with her. At the time he was deputy president of the country, head of the South African Moral Regeneration committee and Head of the SA National AIDS Council
Many many people believe the sangoma's (witch doctors) when they say that having sex with a virgin will cure HIV/AIDS. This has resulted in a high number of raping of toddlers.
Thabo Mbeki, the president of South Africa has made it no secret that he doesn't believe that HIV and AIDS are related to each other.
Manto Tshabala-Msimang, the Health Minister, is very vocal in her beliefs that HIV/AIDS can be cured by a diet of beetroot, garlic and vitamin C.
And not a South African problem alone but teenagers have a tendency to think they're bullet proof.The rape case comment made news in the US... well on NPR, I'm not too sure about the rest of the crowd. NPR also had a report regarding point 2 (and it's derivatives), though I believe the report was dealing with Haiti. It wasn't all witch doctors, but there were some that had sex with the patients, only making the problem worse.

It is so sad how the ignorance has a profound affect on the health of the nation. Luckily in the US, the ignorance regarding science isn't nearly as deeply seated, with only claims of conspiracy regarding evolution and geology.