Civil society organisation, Section27, has raised concern over the shortage of registered abortion facilities in the country and a rise of illegal clinics.
The organisation, which recently commemorated International Safe Abortion Day in Braamfontein in the Joburg CBD, went on a spree to take down illegal abortion posters.
Section27 also called on government to strengthen its efforts in providing vital information on this serious medical procedure.
According to a 2023 study, by Ibis Reproductive Health, 22% of girls between the ages of 12 and 17 had experienced an unplanned pregnancy and were more aware of unsafe abortion methods.
Section 27’s call for more education on the matter also comes against the backdrop of concern over the high number of teenage pregnancies in the country, which often leads to unsafe backstreet abortions. Last year, the National Department of Health revealed that just under 50 000 abortions that take place in the public sector annually are of girls aged between 10 and 19.
Factors that usually lead to pre-teens falling pregnant include rape and unprotected consensual sex among peers.
Attorney at Section27, Khuselwa Dyantyi, says issues like the
shortage of contraceptives contributes to people seeking back door abortions.
Unsafe abortion survivor, Gao Phalaetsile, says more advocacy is needed for safe abortions to be accessible.
Phalaetsile, who fell pregnant after she was raped at the age of 19 while doing her first year at tertiary, says when this medical procedure is carried out incorrectly, one risks facing serious health problems; including severe hemorrhage, sepsis, infertility, and sometimes death.
The young woman, who is the founder of the civil society organisation, Abortion Support South Africa, says she empathises with anyone who fears having it done due to stigma.
Phalaetsile shared, with YNews, the experience she had when she had an unsafe backstreet abortion. She says the hostility she received from nurses when she first went to a public clinic, coupled with the uncertainty she had, forced her to have a back-alley abortion.
Youth-driven movement and health care provider, #Keready, is urging young people to refrain from using back door facilities.
#Keready’s Dr Sivuyisiwe Jekwa says while private facilities might be commonly known for offering pregnancy terminations, public hospitals and clinics also offer this service.
Health researcher, Pontsho Pilane, has advised Yires who might be seeking more knowledge on this topic to approach public health facilities.
Pilane is an award-winning journalist; editor-turned author, and a communications and advocacy manager for Soul City.
She says there are far too many barriers to safe abortions in South Africa.