Abortion which is the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a foetus or embryo prior to viability has for ages, posed a challenge to man, such that it has found acceptance in some cultures and religions. In this report, RUTH CHOJI, in examining the controversies that have trailed the termination of unwanted pregnancies with particular reference to Nigeria, sampled the opinion of a cross section of Nigerians on the legality of abortions.
Brenda Adewale was in Junior Secondary class 11 when she had her first dilation and curettage abortion (D & C). The then teenager who said she was only 12 years old stated, “but for my mother and my elder sister, I would have been a mother of a teenager by now.
“I had sex with one of my seniors in school who I was dating. I didn’t even know I was pregnant until the symptoms manifested and became obvious about two months later.
“I confided in one of my friends then who advised me to drink bitter leaf water, I did and it didn’t work, She also advised me to drink a solution of detergent in a cup which I did, yet, the ‘stubborn pregnancy’ refused to come out.
Finally I met my cousin’s girlfriend, Bose who was older and I thought she would be more experienced and I lied to her that, my friend needed to know what she should take to flush out a two-month-old pregnancy.
She told me to buy some drugs and a bottle of spirit (hot drink) and to take the prescription shortly before going to bed that night. I actually would have done so but for the fact that she told my cousin whom she was dating then, about our discussion, stopped me.
My cousin in turn informed my mother and they both deceived me and asked me to bring my urine for a malaria test. I did and a few days later, I was taken to a doctor who examined and told me I was almost three months gone. The doctor then asked me what I have taken and when I told him, he screamed and warned me never to try such again.
He injected me with some fluid and when I woke up, I saw traces of blood and big tissue in my private part. I was told to rest and drugs were given to my elder sister to administer to me when we get home. That was the genesis of the series of D & C abortions in my life.
Before I finally got married, I had aborted seven pregnancies which prompted my mother to place me on compulsory birth control pills. I just want to thank God that, in spite of it all, I was able to conceive and bring forth the three lovely children that I have so far”.
Anita Idahosa, (not real names) an undergraduate who has had series of abortion said “there is nothing wrong in having a D & C. After all the thing is just a foetus that has not formed into a real human being, so what is the big deal?? It started when I was in secondary school. I now have abortion because this way, they will induce the pregnancy and make it like labour; It is easier and safer for me. I don’t know why I keep taking in, but I don’t care for pills and other preventive method.
My boyfriend too likes it natural, so taking in is inevitable. I remember when I had my fifth pregnancy and went for D & C, I still slept with my boyfriend that same night. He is responsible for my education and everything, so if he doesn’t want to use condom, will I force him?”
Even though abortion is not legal in Nigeria, it is common knowledge that both qualified and unqualified doctors engage in it with impunity and research has shown that most of their customers are teenagers who are beginning to explorer the world of sex.
While most teenagers don’t care about the danger teen abortion portend for them and their future, some are of the opinion that abortion should be legalised in Nigerian, conservatives believes that the status quo remains. But from whatever side of the coin you look at it, there are still health hazards in teenage abortion.
Dr. Lami Yunusa, a gynecologist with a government hospital in the Federal Capital Territory said “you will be amazed to know the number of teenagers that are brought to hospitals daily for abortion or D & C by their parents and guardians.
The rate is quite alarming and for teen pregnancy, the problem is always, that they are pregnant and they are not prepared for it. On the other hand, parents see teen pregnancy as a way of their daughters bringing shame to their families”.
Teen pregnancy is generally defined as pregnancy occurring in a young woman between the ages of 13 and 17, or in anyone who is not legally considered an adult. And these have consequences parents don’t seem to care about.
Some of the negative effects which include related high death rate, because their bodies are still developing. There are lots of complication including hemorrhage, sepsis and Injuries to their pelvic and abdomen.
Dr. Bola Adewale, a psychologist states “most teenagers that indulge in abortion don’t often know the dangers and psychological effects of what they are doing. The abortion causes reactions such as depression, anger, and substance abuse. But sadly, most parents would rather abort their daughters’ pregnancy to avoid shame than face reality. The truth is that, abortion is fraught with dangers and risks, especially for teenagers who suffer both physical and psychological complications”.
Pastor Henry Godwills of one of the Pentecostal churches in Abuja concurs by stating that, abortion is not accepted in Christianity and referred to verses in the scriptures like Jeremiah 1:5 which talks about God knowing us before we are formed in the womb, while Psalm 139;13-16 looks at the making of man fearfully and wonderfully in His image and Exodus 21:22-25 which pertains to the punishment for anyone who kills another human being. Even in the case of rape, God did not permit us to terminate the life because the child ultimately is innocent of how he was conceived, but how you train him matters”.
Ustaz Abdullaziz Ganiyu who spoke to LEADERSHIP SUNDAY on the issue of abortion also said “we don’t condone abortion in Islam; it is an abomination against God and humanity. Islam values human life. This is clearly expressed in the Qur’an where we are told that in the sight of God, killing a human is a very serious matter (see Qur’an 5:32).
The Qur’an teaches that on the Day of Judgment parents who killed their children will be under trial for that crime, and their children will be witnesses against them (see Qur’an 81:8). In another place, the Qur’an says: Do not slay your children for fear of poverty. We shall provide for them and for you (Qur’an 17:31).
Most young girls abort because of shame and poverty but they forget that the Qur’an insists that Allah will provide sustenance for us and our children. Also, Allah has made human life sacred (see Qur’an 6:151).