Abortion in Benin

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Abortion in Benin is legally permitted "upon the request of the pregnant woman, voluntary termination of pregnancy can be allowed when the pregnancy is likely to aggravate or cause a situation of material, educational, professional or moral distress incompatible with the interest of the woman and/or the unborn child…"^[1] in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.^[2]

Benin's Parliament passed a new legal amendment to the Sexual Health and Reproduction (SRH) 2003 Law on Wednesday 20 October 2021.^[3] Under Benin's previous abortion law, which was passed in 2003, a woman can only terminate the pregnancy if her life is at risk, if the pregnancy is a result of incest or rape, or if the foetus has a particularly serious medical condition.^[4][5] A select list of experts were allowed to examine a pregnancy to determine whether the only option for saving the woman's life is to induce abortion.^[6] The law was created due to lobbying by doctors, supported by the country's minister for social affairs Véronique Tognifode [fr], and health minister Benjamin Hounkpatin, who have both worked as gynecologists.^[7] President Patrice Talon supported the law, and the legislators present during the final vote passed the law unanimously.

Impact of strict abortion laws[edit]

Self-induced abortions have been growing in Benin, especially among students in high school or university, and the average age of abortion recipients is 19.^[6]

References[edit]

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