Kenya Bans International NGO, Marie Stopes from Offering Abortion Services

"Abortion isn't a lesser evil, it's a crime. Taking one life to save another, that's what the Mafia does. It's a crime. It's an absolute evil." - Pope Francis

Marie Stopes is an international NGO which provides contraception and safe abortion in various countries around the world. They claim to do this in order to empower women and girls to take control of their future. Their popular slogan is "Marie Stopes International: Children by choice, not chance."

They have had a strong presence across Africa for many years and women from different walks of life have continued to patronize their services which is offered completely free of charge. 

Kenyan authorities have placed a ban on the NGO, saying they do not want any organization to sell the option of abortion to women and girls in the country, because it is not legal to abort children in Kenya.

The ban was effected by the Medical Practitioners Board, which said they made the decision after investigating complaints that the group's adverts were promoting and encouraging abortion and illicit unprotected sex.

Although Marie Stopes have defended their operations, saying they operates within the law and offer counselling services including post-abortion care, the Kenyan authorities have put their foot on the ground to say Abortion is illegal in Kenya unless a mother's health is in danger, and it will remain so!

Alfred Mutua, who is the head of the government agency in charge of approving adverts, welcomed the ban and accused the previous US government under President Barrack Obama of causing moral decay in Kenya by promoting abortion.

However, some Kenyans fear the ban could lead to a rise in unsafe back-street abortions.

In a letter sent from the Medical Practitioners Board to Marie Stopes, the authorities said: 

"Marie Stopes Kenya is hereby directed to immediately cease and desist offering any form of abortion services in all its facilities within the republic."

Alfred Mutia had also said adverts Marie Stopes were running had "not been approved by the board and they were unprofessional - they were almost making it look cool to have an abortion".

"Democrats pushed the pro-abortion view and the pro-LGBT stance on us - an agenda that is alien to our own culture," he said.

You will recall that in January this year, US President Donald Trump banned all American funding for any organisations that support or offer abortions.

What are your thoughts on this ban?

Header Image Credit: Global Health Now