Andrew Kathindi
As the debate on the issue of abortion continues to gain momentum, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Esther Muinjangue, has said while she is personally not for abortion, she intends to raise the matter for discussion and debate in the house tomorrow (Thursday).
“For me, I have my own personal values that may not be my professional values. I would not go for abortion, but we are also in an era where human rights are being highlighted. Because this is also a woman’s body, let the women have a voice and take a decision as to how they want to do,” she told Windhoek Observer.
She added, “It’s not about me. We all have values, but sometimes we need to put aside our values and look at the values of the affected person. I don’t know after I motivate my motion whether I have a solution also, but for me what’s important is people should be in a better position to make informed decisions when they have information.”
On why she is only bringing up the matter for debate now, Muinjangue said because it’s her first time in the national assembly and believes that is the right platform to discuss a topic of this magnitude.
“My hope after these discussions is to look into our law and amend it, taking into account the Namibian context. Bring in the law, the availability of services for people who find themselves in such situations before they say ‘I am going for a backyard abortion’, ensure that there are counseling services available where they can safely go and talk to someone. I know people would say there are already social workers so why put it in the law, but the whole secrecy makes it difficult for people to go. Of course, that’s not something you can force through the law.”
Muinjangue said there are other issues on abortion to discuss besides just legalizing it, such as the psychosocial impact.
“It’s difficult for me to say whether it should be legalized or not because even in countries where it is legalized, the impact it has on the person is not taken away. It’s more about how best can we create safe environment for our young mothers. I know many cases from my experience where people decided I don’t want this pregnancy and I am going to abort, but through counseling they changed their mind and keep the child or gave them up for adoption,” she said.
She added, “If you are given an abortion pill, and told go drink it and bring the fetus tomorrow morning to check when it is out, can you imagine what that person must be going through? Carrying that bag and taking it to the clinic? The process of it getting out of your body, having it in the same room with you while are sleeping and taking it, whether in your own car or taxi, to the hospital for them to make sure it came out, can one imagine the trauma on that person? That’s what I’m more interested in. So even for those who say legalize it, let us have discussions and debates on it and weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. Maybe they have done their research and they know why they are saying that.”
The surprise decision by the Deputy Minister to bring up the matter to the house comes as government seems to be taking a softer stance on its position, with Health Minister, Kalumbi Shangula saying he would be willing to push to legalize abortion if enough women gave their support. In the report, the minister also claimed he is pro-choice and that the anti-abortion law should be done away with.
Official opposition leader McHenry Venaani in his shadow state of the nation address also supported the call for the legalizing of abortion.
“I fully support abortion. I think it is time that this country must rise above the history of religion and tradition. Women must have rights in this country. If women believe that they want to do it voluntarily, there is no reason why they should go behind and find a sangoma to get an abortion,” said the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) head.
The deputy minister’s comments, however, come after the gender ministry recently pronounced itself, that it had no plans to support any move to legalize abortion in the country, Gender minister, Doreen Sioka stating that she does not support it as she is a Christian.
Executive Director in the Gender Ministry, Esther Lusepani stood by her minister’s stance, telling Windhoek Observer on the outcry from Namibian women to legalize abortion, “We are aware of the outcry but we are not supporting it. Let them bring the children. We don’t have enough kids in this country. We are only 2.6 million. It is not something being considered.”
Namibia’s abortion law is inherited from apartheid South Africa who has amended it in 1997 and again in 2008. Abortion is legal in South Africa.
The topic of legalizing abortion gained traction recently after activist Banshee Beauty Boois started a petition which has so far gained nearly 8,000 signatures.
