Mozambique's legislators are currently reviewing the country's abortion ban and are now planning to propose a law that would lift the ban when the parliament reconvenes in October 2007. The step is being taken after the country's Ministry of Health revealed that the current legislation endangers women’s lives.

Mozambique is now on its way to end its near complete ban on abortion after the government acknowledged that the current law is putting women’s lives at risk.

According to the Mozambique’s Ministry of Health, unsafe abortion is the third leading cause of death among pregnant women in the country, which has one of the highest maternal death rates worldwide.

The report released by the health ministry reveals that unsafe abortions accounted for 11% of maternal deaths at the central hospital in Maputo, Mozambique's capital, in the 1990s. As well, more than 40% of serious pregnancy complications treated there were reportedly the result of illegal abortions. The health ministry also revealed that 58% of abortion cases were performed at home by women themselves, usually without the help of a medical professional.

Mozambique's Ministry of Health also found out that around 100 women die annually from botched abortions, while many more suffer serious health problems. The health ministry also believes that illegal abortions are still greatly underreported and that the true numbers are probably much higher.

By lifting the ban, legislators are hoping that women will be able to seek safe abortions in well-equipped facilities. This proposal is scheduled to be presented to the parliament when it reconvenes in October 2007. Being a predominantly Roman Catholic country, Mozambique’s Catholic leaders have expressed anger over the proposed law. Supporters of the proposed bill, on the other hand, are optimistic that the legislation will pass easily.

Abortion is banned in the country except if the life or health of the pregnant woman is in danger. Abortion was first outlawed in Mozambique in 1886 and was reaffirmed in a 1981 legislation, six years after the country gained independence from Portugal.

Sources:
“Mozambican Government Reviewing Abortion Ban, Justice Minister Says” from Medical News Today, posted on June 13, 2007, <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=73849>.
“Mozambique Considers Lifting Abortion Ban to Protect Women's Lives” from Feminist Majority Foundation, posted on June 11, 2007, <http://www.feminist.org/news/newsbyte/uswirestory.asp?id=10355>.