The article I chose for this blog
was, Abortion and Contraceptive Use in Sub-Saharan Africa: How Women Plan Their
Families (Lauro, 2011). In this article explores the issues of contraception
and how it relates to African women within Sub-Saharan Africa. There are very
few women that use any form of contraception, much of the reason has been
linked to these women being uneducated about contraception. Also many women do
not have access to contraception which leaves them open to unwanted pregnancy.
The article further discusses into depth about how abortion has impacted this
society. Many in Sub-Saharan Africa are attached to their socioeconomic beliefs
and there for, believe that if a woman gives birth to a child out of marriage
it is shameful. They also believe that induced abortion is more practical to
rid them of shame, as long as it is done privately. The article further
discusses how some parts of Africa believe that just because a woman receives
and abortion does not mean that the spirit will continue in death until it is
reborn, suggesting that both life and death is a spiritual cycle.
Although abortion is illegal in some parts of
Africa it is still practiced, and people are able to receive aftercare from
hospitals. The beliefs about contraception in this part of the world are
preventing these women from safeguarding themselves against many dangers such
as STI’s and unwanted pregnancy, which then forces them to get abortions. But
if they do receive an abortion they are then faced with having to endure the
shame that their communities place on them. While much of the world is living
in a modern day society where things such as contraception are readily
available, the women in Sub-Saharan Africa are unfortunately being denied these choices.
Lauro, D. (2011). Abortion and
Contraceptive Use in Sub-Saharan Africa: How Women Plan Their Families. African
Journal of Reproductive Health / La Revue Africaine de la Santé Reproductive,
Vol. 15, No. 1 (March 2011), pp. 13-23. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/
Eloisa,
ReplyDeleteI read your post and I must say that information about abortion and contraceptive use in other parts of the world seem to be limited in a number of ways. I also had the opportunity to research and discuss this topic as well, I believe our responses are similar. For example, in your post you mentioned that beliefs about contraception and abortion are keeping women from “safe-guarding” themselves against STD’s and unwanted pregnancies.
I can agree that this is an issue because many women may see this practice as sinful or as you said “shameful” which creates not only a stigma within the community, but among its members as well. It would be recommended that a clinical based program be put in place that focuses on teaching women about contraceptive use, options for unwanted pregnancies, ways to alleviate myths about this practice and reduce social stigmas.