Abortion in Cameroon is only legal if the abortion will save the woman's life, the pregnancy gravely endangers the woman's physical or mental health, or the pregnancy is a result of rape.[1]

Statistics

In 1997, a survey in Yaoundé found 20 percent of women aged 20–29 had had at least one abortion.[2][3] 80 percent of these procedures took place in a medical facility, but they were not always safe, and women often faced complications.[2] The odds that a pregnant woman would seek an abortion were increased if they were educated or had children.[2] Of women reporting past abortions, 40% had two or more.[2] The survey found that 35% of all reported pregnancies in the capital city ended in abortion.[3]

Abortion access

In 1990, the Cameroon government passed Act No. 90/035 to prohibit birth control education.[4] Reports found that abortion and secretive reproductive health services were widespread and made up 40 percent of OB/GYN emergency admissions.[4] However, most access to abortion clinics were limited to urban centers within the country.[4]

References

  1. ^ Division, United Nations Dept of Economic and Social Affairs Population; population, Nations Unies Division de la (2001). Abortion Policies: A Global Review. United Nations Publications. ISBN 9789211513653.
  2. ^ a b c d Hollander, D. (2005-09-08). "Although Abortion Is Highly Restricted in Cameroon, It Is Not Uncommon Among Young Urban Women". International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health. 29: 49. doi:10.2307/3181002. JSTOR 3181002. Retrieved 2016-06-21.
  3. ^ a b Calvès, Anne-Emmanuèle (2002). "Abortion Risk and Decisionmaking among Young People in Urban Cameroon". Studies in Family Planning. 33 (3): 249–260. doi:10.1111/j.1728-4465.2002.00249.x. JSTOR 3181117. PMID 12385086.
  4. ^ a b c "Women's Reproductive Rights in Cameroon: A Shadow Report" (PDF). Center for Reproductive Law and Policy. 1999. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
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