SOUTH AFRICA: PROTEST MARCHES TAKE TO THE STREETS AS OUTRAGE AGAINST BACKSTREET ABORTIONS CONTINUES TO GROW. In April 2022, Lumiere Charity published the call by Director Jones to make illegal posters, including those selling " 'quick abortions' which are inevitably done by unlicensed practitioners in unsafe conditions", a public issue. [1]
Public protest
Since then, public feeling has spilled into the streets. Deputy Health Minister Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, accompanied by Gauteng Health MEC Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi and Ekurhuleni Mayor Tania Campbell, led a march against illegal and unsafe abortions; Alleged News. [2]
Say no to backstreet abortions
The march took to the streets where participants carried signs and banners which included "Backstreet abortion lead to long-term health complications and even death", calling for young people to speak up and say no to backstreet abortions; Alleged News. [2] "My sister, don't risk your life with backstreet abortions. These fly-by-night abortions have many side effects including infections, severe blood loss, damage to the cervix or not falling pregnant again, and loss of life in some cases. Speak out, say no to backstreet abortions!" the Department said; Alleged News. [2]
Removal of illegal advertisements
Doctors Dhlomo and Mokgethi, Mayor Campbell and youth who came out in support of the march, removed advertisements from illegal abortionists which were unlawfully pasted on municipality infrastructure; Alleged News. [2]
Abbandonati
Most of the numbers of unidentified infant bodies received by the Johannesburg Forensic Pathology Services (FPS) medico-legal mortuary in Braamfontein are foetuses; Alleged News. [3] They are abandoned - discarded around the city; Alleged News. [3] Foetal osteologist Roxanne Thornton works with these deceased infants, specializing in perinatal forensic identification criteria and developmental biology; Alleged News. [3]
The dead babies come in as viable foetuses (more than 26 weeks), and as non-viable foetuses (those who would not survive outside the womb); Alleged News. [3] Osteologist Thornton said many of the abandoned foetuses are illegal abortion cases, mostly stillborn and abandoned; Alleged News. [3]
Aborted children should have a voice
Osteologist Thornton said, "I work with foetal prenatal bones. The goal is to prove the case forensically. The reason I do this is because there are hardly any inquests for the dumped [foetuses] - they don't get investigated and they are forgotten. This is an injustice.
"I believe these children should have a voice. A lot are dumped just around the corner from a shelter or abortion clinic," Alleged News. [3]
Conviction for pro-life stickers over illegal abortion stickers
In February 2013, Mr Peter Throp received a conviction for damaging property by placing pro-life stickers over illegal abortion stickers; Alleged News. [4] Mr Throp received sentence of a fine of R5 000 or three months imprisonment, suspended for five years; Alleged News. [4] In March 2014, the Cape Town High Court upheld Mr Throp's appeal; Alleged News. [4]
15 percent of maternal deaths due to abortion complications
Unsafe, illegal pregnancy terminations lead to 15 % of SA's maternal deaths; Alleged News. [5] According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in South Africa 15 % of maternal deaths are due to abortion complications, Alleged News. [5]
Abortion is legal for children in South Africa
On December 11, 1996, South Africa enacted the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act. [6] This Act gives women of any age or marital status access to abortion services upon request during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and, in certain cases, extends access to the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. [6] Currently, in South Africa, children are legally barred from drinking alcohol and from driving cars until they are 18 years of age. [6]
Currently, in South Africa, children between 12-14 years of age are being granted abortions, many of them without their parents' knowledge. [6] In 2018, it was estimated that there were around 260,000 abortions in South Africa. [6]
Preying on the poor, desperate and marginalized
Director Justin Jones noted that "you cannot drive anywhere in a South African city these days without seeing illegal posters selling prophets, potions . . . Then there are also the ones that are selling things like "quick abortions" . . . which are inevitably done by unlicensed practitioners in unsafe conditions."
"When the various posters are analysed, it becomes noticeably clear as to why the originator or owner uses the illegal (guerilla type) approach to advertise.
The practices they are advertising are normally illegal, and they are preying on the poor, the desperate and the marginalised." [1]
Illegal abortion stickers
Illegal abortion stickers continue to proliferate on municipality infrastructure. Many citizens have torn off stickers as they do not agree with murder of unborn infants. In recent months, attempts to remove some illegal abortion stickers have become extremely difficult due to affixment of the illegal stickers with almost irremovable glue.
Recently in some areas of South Africa, almost irremovable illegal abortion stickers have been affixed to road traffic signs.
IN THE SPIRIT OF LUMIERE, IS THERE
ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP?
[1] South Africa: Call to stop Illegal Abortion Advertisements
https://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2022/04/south-africa-call-to-stop-illegal.html
[2] Speak up, say no to backstreet abortions, Alleged News
https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/speak-up-say-no-to-backstreet-abortions/ar-AA11gA4r
[3] Why women still go for backstreet abortions, dump babies; Alleged News
[4] Cape Town pro-life activist gets another summons days before court date; Alleged News
https://gatewaynews.co.za/pro-life-activist-gets-another-summons-days-before-court-date/
[5] The Citizen. Lunga Simelane. 16 September 2022. "Unsafe, illegal pregnancy terminations lead to 15% of SA's maternal deaths"; Alleged News
[6] Abortion in South Africa: a shocking state of affairs; Alleged News
https://joynews.co.za/abortion-in-south-africa-a-shocking-state-of-affairs/
With thanks to msn.com, timeslive.co.za, gatewaynews.co.za, citizen.co.za and joynews.co.za
No comments:
Post a Comment